Tahoma School District issued the following announcement.
Dear Tahoma families,
We learned this week that a video of a live suicide is circulating on several social media platforms. A man initially streamed his suicide live on Facebook. While news reports say the original video was removed, it has since been shared on TikTok and has also apparently been embedded within or disguised as videos of other topics, such as animal videos.
We are concerned that students could stumble upon these videos accidentally while using social media. Clearly this is something that will stir emotions and they will have questions about. Thank you for being a great support to your student, and we hope this is helpful information in keeping them healthy and safe. Here is a guide with information about Internet safety:
If your student needs support from a counselor about this video (or any other topic), please click here to find contact information for district counselors along with other resources and information. These are difficult times for all of us. We want to emphasize that we are here for you and your students, and we highly value your partnership in keeping Tahoma’s students safe. Although we know you have received many emails from us in recent weeks, we are sending this letter to share what we feel is important safety information for many of our families who have teens and younger students with social media accounts.
Suicide Prevention Support
It is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is preventable, and you don’t need special training to help prevent it. Everyone can play a role by learning to recognize the warning signs, showing compassion, and offering support. Signs to be aware of in children and adults include lack of interest, changes in eating and sleeping habits, and mood. People in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, or those who know someone in crisis, should do the following:
● Call 911, or go to any hospital emergency deptartment or urgent care clinic. Say, “There’s a threat of suicide” and ask for a “designated crisis responder.”
● National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or, En Español: 1-888-628-9454
● Crisis Text Hotline: Text “HOME” to the number 741741
Start with the Heart
As we share on the district counseling page, this school year is like no other. All of us have endured so much more than anyone could have anticipated. Yet, here we are! We are strong, Tahoma! We began this school year with a “Start with the Heart” mindset from our superintendent, Mike Hanson. Start with the Heart is filtering throughout all staff, students, and families in Tahoma. Our goal this fall is to ensure that each student knows how much they are worth, they are cared for through relationships, and how to receive support if needed. As always, we are dedicated to excellent academics. However, the wellness of our students is critical, so they are in a place to receive the learning that our teachers are working so hard to provide.
We will provide regular updates for families about mental health and wellness supports. In the meantime, if you have questions or suggestions about your student or our programs in this area, please feel free to reach out at any time.
Tahoma Communications Office
Original source can be found here.
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