October 10, 2022

Dear Parent/Guardians,

As we continue through challenging and unconventional times, it is important that we are alert and paying attention to the mental health of our children and teens. We can do this by learning or revisiting the signs of when a young person might be in distress and possibly contemplating suicide and learning what to say and do if suicidal ideation is present.

The California Department of Education, Directing Change, and Teen Line are hosting a free webinar and Facebook Live event: https://www.facebook.com/CAEducation Suicide Prevention 101 for Parents: Recognizing Signs and What to Do.  This free webinar will provide information about suicide prevention for parents, including warning signs for suicide, how to have a conversation with their teen, actions to take if their teen is having a suicidal thought, and resources.  The webinar is provided in partnership with the California Department of Education, the Directing Change Program, and Teen Line. 

• October 13, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ISuj0ux3QHyrdOaYtef_7g

Additional Resources:

• Suicide Prevention: A Resource for Parents Brochure: This e-brochure includes questions parents can ask themselves to assess if their teen might be at risk of suicide and actions to take.  Tips on raising resilient teens as well as resources are provided.

Marie Russell
Director of Communications, Family Engagement, & Outreach

During the 2018-19 school year, all Turlock Unified School District certificated teachers and administrators were trained in Question, Persuade, Respond (QPR) which is a prevention/intervention program for students and staff. Also, as announced during the training as of July 1, 2019, student ID cards will be required to include suicide prevention information.

SENATE BILL NO.972  In response to passage of Senate Bill 972 and the addendum to California Education Code section 215.5, California Public Schools, charter, and private schools that serve pupils in grades 7 to 12, and higher education institutions, are required to include suicide hotline numbers, and the Crisis Text Line number on one or other side of the student identification cards.

In TUSD, the new ID cards will include:

• The telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255.
• Crisis Text Line which can be accessed by texting RENEW to 741741

The bill requires schools and public or private institutions to issue new cards commencing July 1, 2019.