Suicide Prevention

Growing up is not easy.  Children and teenagers face many tough decisions and difficult life experiences that, at times, seem overwhelming.  Suicide is the leading cause of death for kids in high school and can be prevented if adults and friends are aware of the warning signs and know what to do.

Never ignore the signs.  Tell an adult.  Make a call.

You Can Help.

Save a Friend – Tips for Teens to Prevent Suicide

Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System Warmline   410-768-5522

The Maryland Youth Hotline   1-800-422-0009

Student Safety Hotline   1-877-676-9854

Preventing Suicide – Information for Caregivers and Educators

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Bullying / Harassment / Intimidation Reporting

Bullying and cyberbullying, harassment and intimidation, hazing, and/or bias behaviors are unsafe behaviors that do not reflect respect for others as defined by the AACPS Code of Student Conduct.  If your child is a target of one of these behaviors, you can report this using the Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reporting Form.  Students can also report directly to a staff member.  When a situation that involves any of these behaviors is reported, staff members will respond quickly and will provide a practical, private, and safe place to report.

How to Tell If Your Child Is Being Bullied…

• Change in school performance
• Absenteeism
• Truancy/drop out
• Peer rejection
• Fear of social situations
• Alienation and loneliness
• Poor self-esteem
• Chronic illness

What Can  You Do?

• If the bullying is occurring at school, contact the teacher, school counselor, and/or administrator.
• Ask your child’s teacher questions about his or her interactions with other children.
• Look for help from the school counselor with social skills, assertiveness, or friendship skills training.

If it is determined by an administrator that bullying or cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, hazing, and/or bias behaviors have occurred, the students involved in these behaviors will receive support from a school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, pupil personnel worker, or school health staff person to be sure that everyone involved in the incident feels safe and supported and understands how to avoid these situations in the future.

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