Post by Ayla on Jan 11, 2016 15:15:07 GMT 8
Educators from across San Diego County gathered in San Marcos last week to develop strategies for battling teen suicide — spurred in part by the deaths of at least four transgender students in the region over the last year.
Experts at the forum said that although the suicide rate for all age groups in San Diego County declined about 4.7% from 2013 to 2014, the number of deaths among transgender students was cause for concern.
"We felt compelled to get the message out," said Carol Skiljan, an Encinitas school board member who is on the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council.
School counselors and other educators said they're seeing more kids struggle with gender identity issues and thoughts of suicide.
"The fact is, kids are coming out at an earlier age" and may need additional support and help with coping skills, Skiljan said.
The forum — attended by nearly 100 educators, administrators and high school counselors — is a first step toward building a gender-inclusive environment in county schools, said Don Buchheit, senior director of student services for the San Diego County Office of Education.
"There remains a lot of work to do," Buchheit said.
Stephanie Cruz, a counselor at Westview High School in Poway, said more students are coming into her office struggling with gender identity.
www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lgbt-students-suicide-20160111-story.html
Experts at the forum said that although the suicide rate for all age groups in San Diego County declined about 4.7% from 2013 to 2014, the number of deaths among transgender students was cause for concern.
"We felt compelled to get the message out," said Carol Skiljan, an Encinitas school board member who is on the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council.
School counselors and other educators said they're seeing more kids struggle with gender identity issues and thoughts of suicide.
"The fact is, kids are coming out at an earlier age" and may need additional support and help with coping skills, Skiljan said.
The forum — attended by nearly 100 educators, administrators and high school counselors — is a first step toward building a gender-inclusive environment in county schools, said Don Buchheit, senior director of student services for the San Diego County Office of Education.
"There remains a lot of work to do," Buchheit said.
Stephanie Cruz, a counselor at Westview High School in Poway, said more students are coming into her office struggling with gender identity.
www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lgbt-students-suicide-20160111-story.html