8-24-2023 7:47am

Mountain View Middle School Suicide Incident Help is Available

Chris Edwards Editor

AlamogordoTownNews.com and KRAZY KALHRadio.org extend our hearts, thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues impacted by the heartbreaking loss of the 11 year old female student from Mountain View Middle School which took their own life this week.

Out of respect for the privacy of the family and sensitivity around the event we will not be releasing full details of the incident nor family details until snd unless the family provides a statement.

Alamogordo Public Schools issued the following statement…

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of a heartbreaking incident that has deeply affected our Mountain View Middle School community. A student has tragically lost their life to suicide. Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and all those who have been impacted by this devastating loss.

The well-being of our students is our utmost priority. Our dedicated crisis response team is actively engaged, they will be meeting with students both individually and in groups, providing them with the space to express their emotions and share their grief. This support will continue to be available not only Wednesday but also in the coming days and weeks as our students navigate through this challenging time.

In addition to the in-school support, we recognize the importance of community resources in helping our students cope with this tragedy. We are sharing the following resources that are available for those who feel the need for further assistance:

• The Counseling Center: For professional counseling services, please contact 575-488-2500.

• Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS): Reach out to 575-437-7404 for additional guidance and peer assistance.

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, please call or text 988

During this difficult time please know that Alamogordo Public Schools has resources to share with students, families, and staff.”

In Otero county alone, 29.5 of 100,000 deaths were be suicide between 2016 and 2020, according to Healthy Paso del Norte.

"Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, presenting a major, preventable public health problem," according to Paso del Norte. "More than 33,000 people kill themselves each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but suicide deaths only account for part of the problem. An estimated 25 attempted suicides occur per every suicide death, and those who survive suicide may have serious injuries, in addition to having depression and other mental problems."

According to the 2019 Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, 30.2% of Otero County middle schoolersseriously thought about killing themselves while 22.6% of Otero County high schoolers seriously considered suicide.

The 2019 youth Risk and Resiliency Survey was given to students in the fall of 2019 and is usually given on odd numbered years and released in even numbered years.

The Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey assesses both physical and behavioral health issues among middle school and high school students.

Among children between the ages of 15 and 19, suicide is the second leading cause of death, and the leading cause of death for 14- to 15-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What should I do if I think my child is at risk of suicide?

You can start by talking with your child. Ask how they are doing and if they ever think of killing themselves. Be sure to use clear, straightforward language. Having regular conversations in which you show concern and give your child room to express their honest thoughts and feelings lets your child know that they can talk with you when they need to.

If your child expresses suicidal thoughts or exhibits self-harming behaviors, seek professional help through your pediatrician, Boston Children’s Hospital, calling a suicide helpline like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contacting the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Dial 988.

It’s important to limit your child’s access to possible means of suicide:

Remove guns or other weapons from the house or keep them locked up where your child can’t access them.
Store prescription medications safely and dispose of unused or expired medications.

How is a child’s risk of suicide measured?

A child’s risk of suicide is measured in stages by different health care providers.

Suicide risk screening is a set of questions used to identify whether a child is at risk of suicide. A screening may be done by your child’s pediatrician or a nurse as part of a standard health assessment.

Suicide risk assessment is more thorough than a screening and is used to confirm whether your child is at risk of suicide. Assessments are done by trained mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and mental health counselors.

For a rapid suicide risk assessment, contact your primary care physician, a local crisis team, or local emergency department.

If my child is at risk of suicide, what happens next?

The mental health professional who assesses your child should work with you and your child to make sure your child receives appropriate care. Your child’s treatment may include inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, a partial hospitalization (day program), outpatient psychotherapy, home-based therapy, psychiatric medication, or some combination of the above.

Is it possible to prevent suicide?

Yes. Frequent open communication that gives your child room to explore their thoughts and feelings with you is one of the best ways to prevent suicide.
Your child may not tell you they are thinking about suicide out of concern over how you might react. By asking direct, non-judgmental questions, you can encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings.
Don’t be afraid to talk ask your child if they have suicidal thoughts. Studies repeatedly show that people do not start thinking about suicide just because someone asks them about it.
Have an emergency plan in place. If you suspect your child is at risk, get them help immediately.

Resources for families

The 988 System - Reasons to Call 988:

Worried about your safety or someone you know
Having a hard time managing strong emotions
Feeling hopeless, confused, angry or lonely
Worried about alcohol or drug use (substance use)
Need information or referrals for local community services
Have something on your mind that you want to talk over with someone outside of current situation
Service member or veteran and their families in need
Experiencing abuse or neglect
Dating issues or domestic violence
Struggling with eating disorders
Dealing with discrimination
Worried about parental discord or bullying
Stressed about work and having high anxiety

How it Works

CALL

People who call 988 are given three options:

Press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line
Press 2 to connect with the Spanish Subnetwork
Remain on the line and be connected to a local crisis center; if local crisis center is unable to answer, the caller is routed to a national backup center

TEXT or CHAT

People who text “TALK” to 988 will be connected to crisis centers equipped to respond to texts. Chat will be available through the Lifeline’s website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.