Student Well Being

Islander Middle School & MIYFS Counseling Team

Islander Middle School has an excellent staff of counselors who work collaboratively with students, families and school staff to support the social and emotional needs of students. Mercer Island Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) licensed mental health counselors are also available and a valuable resource for helping your children thrive in school.  Please visit the IMS Counseling Team page for further information and contact details. 

YOuth Suicide Prevention

Youth Suicide Prevention

What to Know.  What to Do.  You Can Help.

In Washington state, suicide (primarily by firearm) is the second leading cause of death for youths aged 10-24. According to the 2018 Washington Healthy Youth Survey, 32% of eighth graders, 40% of 10th graders, and 41% of 12th graders felt so sad or hopeless for 2 weeks or more that they stopped doing their usual activities. 16% of 8th graders, 18% of 10th graders, and 18% of 12th graders reported making a suicide plan.

Every parent should take suicide seriously. Adults often avoid the topic because they do not feel well equipped to discuss and handle talking about suicide. However, we can all do our part to feel more confident by learning how to prevent suicide among the teens in our lives.

We are fortunate to have the UW Forefront Suicide Prevention Program nearby.  The UW Forefront Suicide Prevention Program’s vision is to foster a world that openly addresses suicide and mental health with compassion, and where every individual acts on their capacity to prevent suicide.

What to Know

Learn the warning signs:

• Talking or writing about suicide or death
• Giving direct verbal cues, such as "I wish I were dead" and "I'm going to end it all"
• Giving less direct verbal cues, such as "You will be better off without me," "What's the point of living?", "Soon you won't have to worry about me," and "Who cares if I'm dead, anyway?"
• Isolating themselves from friends and family
• Expressing the belief that life is meaningless
• Giving away prized possessions
• Exhibiting a sudden and unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed or withdrawn
• Neglecting his or her appearance and hygiene
• Dropping out of school or social, athletic, and/or community activities
• Obtaining a weapon (such as a firearm) or another means of hurting themselves (such as prescription medications)

What to Do

Familiarize yourself with the LEARN® Saves Lives Suicide Prevention tips developed by Forefront.  These 5 steps will help you recognize when someone may be at risk for suicide and how to connect them with immediate help.

• LOOK for Signs
• EMPATHIZE and Listen
• ASK Directly About Suicide
• REMOVE the Dangers & Safely Store All Firearms
• NEXT STEPS

Watch UW Forefront’s free LEARN® Saves Lives Suicide Prevention Training for parents/caregivers webinar on suicide prevention. The recording is 1 hour and 20 minutes and well worth your time to potentially save a life.

In Crisis?

Here are organizations that can assist:

• King County 24-Hour Crisis Line, 866-4CRISIS (866-427- 4747)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255); Crisis Text Line, text HEAL to 741741
• Washington Youth Suicide Prevention Program: 206-297-5922
• The Trevor Project: The leaders in crisis intervention fo LGBTQ under 25: thetrevorproject.org, 1-866-488-7386
• Teen Link: teenlink.org  866-833-6546
• Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Confidential Intake Line: (206) 275-7657