This week in #openspokes we were asked to tackle the tough topics and I decided to tackle the topic of suicide which is NOT easy.
School Counsellors often have to assist students with the grief process. Over the years I have seen students who have lost parents, siblings, friends, classmates and family members some due to a completed suicide which is the most tragic of all.
Below listen to a young man’s story that begins to tell the story of the impact on family and friends. I am not sure that there are any words to descibe the impact that this tragedy truly has,but his words I am hopeful will help other students.
As school counsellors our role is to be helpful in anyway that we can by infusing HOPE in as many ways as possible.
When a school experiences the loss of a student everyone feels the loss as expressed here by a note left to a student who died.
Dear_____,
Even though we haven’t formally met, I look at your spot in English class and I am deeply saddened that you are not here with us…
It is never easy seeing a student in deep pain especially if the loss was tragic or sudden. Often times school counsellors need to ensure that they have dealt with their own issues surrounding grief so that they can best help others. School Counsellors need to be aware of vicarious trauma or counsellor burnout when assisting students who have experienced traumatic events.
Here are my livebinders on Suicide Prevention and HOPE:
I know school counsellors save lives everyday and I want to thank you for the important work you do that no one else sees. I know because I have been a school counsellor for a long time. So keep doing what you are doing even though it can be extremely difficult at times.
There are students who you will make a difference for… of that I am sure! Take care of yourself so that you can continue to help others.
Counsellor Talk : Creative Collaborative Connections 
I wanted to thank you so much for your post, and I wanted to tell you about my letter writing campaign to raise suicide prevention awareness in schools! It’s called Fairy Godletters, and students and community members wrote beautiful messages of hope for high school students in need – you can find them all on our blog. If you or anyone you know wants to write a letter or you want to direct them to our blog for support please feel free. And if you have any questions or comments for me please let me know!