SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Public Schools shared heartbreaking news with families this week about three recent student deaths by suicide.
The district sent messages notifying parents and students about the following losses:
- 15-year-old student at Lyman High School
- 15-year-old student at Winter Springs High School
- 16-year-old student at Hagerty High School
“This week, some of our school communities have faced tragic loss, and many are feeling the impact deeply,” a statement from SPCS begins. “During this difficult time, we want to remind our families and students that support is available for anyone who may need it. As a school community, we want every student to know that they are never alone and that help is always available.”
News 6 sat down with Cherlette McCullough at Center Peace Couples & Family Therapy to help parents who want to talk about such a difficult topic with their kids, and to share how important it is to talk about it.
“These conversations are vital not only for individuals, but specifically for teens,” said McCullough. “The more we talk about it, the more we normalize teens being OK to talk when they’re not OK.”
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Where do parents start?
“I think a lot of times parents feel they don’t want to badger their children. They don’t want to feel intrusive with their children. But now is the time with our teens that we start the conversations,” said McCullough. “And parents have to understand that proximity doesn’t mean connection, it doesn’t mean engagement. So, talking to their children, asking them about how their day is going.”
McCullough said teens tend to open up to parents and other adults when they feel seen and they’re not being judged.
What can parents do to encourage teens to open up?
“First of all, parents have to take care of themselves and not feel guilty or internalize when their children give them those short answers,” said McCullough. “It’s OK if they give them those short answers. Stay with that conversation and continue to ask them open-ended questions about themselves, about the things that they’re interested in.”
Stay consistent.
“Teens, they open up at different times. It can be at dinner. It can be when they’re doing something side-by-side. It can be when they’re driving home from school,” said McCullough. “But remember, connection isn’t about interrogation. So, asking rapid questions, but it’s a normal conversation like you would have with anyone else. And remember that they will not open up after they’ve been corrected or if there’s been a disagreement. But think about a time when it’s calm, when you can create that safe space where they can give you the things that are important to them.”
McCullough says consistency is key.
“Just like we have important appointments in our phones, put it in your phone. You know, make it an ongoing thing weekly to do,” said McCullough. “Check in with yourself as parents, as well as with your children.”
How do you talk to teens about the loss of a classmate?
“Some teens are probably feeling a lot of sadness right now, you know,” said McCullough. “Parents also have to know that it’s OK to talk about hard things just because it’s a hard conversation. It doesn’t mean that it does not need to happen. These conversations are really hard to have, but they’re necessary.”
“Ask them, ‘What did you feel today? How was it in class today? What emotions did you feel today?’” said McCullough. “And if they say things like, ‘I don’t want to talk about that,’ stick with it, but don’t internalize it as they’re shutting down on you, because these conversations, let’s normalize it.”
When do you seek professional help?
“If you start noticing that your child’s behaviors are changing, if you’re noticing they’re not eating, if you’re noticing that they’re withdrawn, if you notice that they’re just not feeling like themselves, then it’s time to reach out for that professional help,” said McCullough. “I think our teens right now are struggling and have been struggling for a long time. There’s academic stress, there’s tension in our homes.”
McCullough wants teens to know if they are struggling, it’s OK to go to someone they trust.
“That’s your parents, that’s a mentor or a teacher. There is help, and there is hope,” said McCullough. “Although the feelings that they’re feeling right now may feel big and overwhelming, it’s not permanent.”
You can read the full message from SCPS below:
Dear SCPS Families, Students, and Staff, This week, some of our school communities have faced tragic loss, and many are feeling the impact deeply. During this difficult time, we want to remind our families and students that support is available for anyone who may need it. As a school community, we want every student to know that they are never alone and that help is always available. Each of our campuses has compassionate, trained mental health professionals who are either on-site or available to provide support, guidance, and care whenever it’s needed. The Department of School Safety & Security also plays an important role in that support network, not only ensuring physical safety but serving as a trusted resource for students and families. Our School Resource Deputies and Officers are available to listen, connect students with help, and foster a safe and caring environment where everyone feels valued and heard. In addition to on-campus resources, help is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the following platforms:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate, free, and confidential support.
- Hope Florida 833-GET-HOPE (438-4673).
- 2-1-1 for local support and mobile crisis assistance.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained counselor.
- Speak Out Hotline (anonymous reporting) 1-800-423-TIPS.
- P3 Campus App (anonymous reporting).
We encourage families to continue having open conversations with their students about how they are feeling, where they may be struggling, and provide encouragement for them to reach out for help whenever additional support is needed. Additional resources to assist with conversations about mental health are available by visiting Seminole County Public Schools - Parent Resources. Please take a moment to view this flyer, which contains important resources, HERE.