Downingtown Area School District: Change for Good
This is uncomfortable. The stigma around Mental Health and Suicide closes mouth, closes doors, and ends lives.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 – 24-year-olds. On average, there are 3.5 male deaths by suicide for every female (https://chestercountysuicideprevention.com/index.php/statistics/). Between 2014-2018 the suicide rate in Chester County increased .6% to 11.8% (health.pa.gov). We must address the state of the mental health crisis in the DASD community at every level.
In the past week, I have read multiple letters from students crying out for change. Witnessed families and communities ripped apart as they try to come to terms with the loss of yet another life. Participated in meetings, fundraisers, and organized events to help our grieving community.
At the same time, students report the school has told them to move on, stop talking, seek help elsewhere, get over it, show up for their exams, play the game tonight.
Despite employing School Psychologists, Prevention Specialists, Emotional Support Staff, and Guidance Counselors, DASD continues to demonstrate students and staff are not equipped to handle the emotional and mental health of the student body nor its faculty.
While responsibility does not fall on the school alone, children and faculty spend more time participating in school and school-related activities than any other activity 9+ months out of the year. We have a communal responsibility to ensure our student's needs are met at home, by the community, and at school.
We are petitioning for DASD school district reform to include:
*Hiring a Director of Mental Health to implement and oversee faculty and student education and resources for mental health including suicide prevention
*Health Education from K-12 to include age-appropriate Mental Health Education
*Collaboration with adjacent schools that have already taken action to implement programs and eager to help DASD on this journey
*Ongoing communication with student and faculty about resources beyond school with a deepened home to school connection for those at risk
*Recognition that reducing the stigma includes the school's willingness to take part in mental health and conversations around suicide including not erasing or silencing lives lost
Take action. Sign the petition https://www.change.org/p/dr-emilie-lonardi-superintendent-of-schools-dasd-change-for-good