Title
Mr. Schmerelson - Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month 2026 (Res-005-26/27)
description
Whereas, Suicide loss profoundly impacts families, friends, teachers, and the entire school community, and providing comprehensive support to survivors is essential for healing and preventing future tragedies;
Whereas, In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that suicide was responsible for 48,824 deaths across the United States, with an estimated 14.3 million adults seriously considering suicide, 4.6 million planning to attempt, and 2.2 million attempting;
Whereas, In 2024, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for October 10 reported that adolescent mental health and suicide risk remains a “substantial public health concern,” with 39.7% of students experiencing persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness; 28.5% experiencing poor mental health, 20.4% seriously considering attempting suicide, and 9.5% had attempted it;
Whereas, The CDC’s Risk Behavior Survey had not been updated since 2023 and was deleted or publicly unavailable by the federal government, potentially harming state and local governments from assessing the needs of younger citizens and residents until a court order demanded the data and webpages be restored in February 2025;
Whereas, The CDC has stopped publishing data on transgender Americans to comply with Executive Order 14168, potentially leaving the CDC as an unreliable source of information and an undercount of suicide rates for LGBTQ+ communities;
Whereas, In 2026, the CDC Mental Health Data Channel reported that death by suicide is the leading cause of death among youth and adults in the US, with half of them having a history of a known diagnosed mental health condition but the other half having no diagnosis and may be underreported;
Whereas, Factors such as discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, stigma, familial and community rejection, mental illness, social networks, and other factors that compromise life functioning may result in elevated suicide risk, particularly for vulnerable student populations;
Whereas, In September 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2246, now California Education Code 215, that took effect in 2017-18, setting a requirement for all Local Educational Agencies (LEA), including county offices of education, school districts, state special schools and charter schools that serve pupils in grades 7 to 12 to adopt a policy on pupil suicide prevention that specially addresses the needs of high-risk students;
Whereas, In July 2022, the phone number of the Suicide and Crisis Hotline changed to 988, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
Whereas, The focus on mental health aligns with the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (District) Strategic Plan on Pillar 1B, which focuses on student happiness at their schools, and Pillar 1C, which seeks to eliminate opportunity gaps. Furthermore, this also aligns with Pillars 2A, which establishes welcoming environments, 2B, the whole-child well-being, and 2C, strong social-emotional skills;
Whereas, In July 2017, Michelle King, Superintendent of Schools, approved the implementation of the annual online Suicide Prevention and Awareness Training for all District staff;
Whereas, The Los Angeles Region suffered through extreme wildfire events in January 2025, with mental health organizations warning of increased mental health stress or crisis due to victims losing loved ones, homes, pets, etc, with some effects and traumas still felt into 2026;
Whereas, The District’s results from the Spring 2026 School Experience Survey indicate improved sense of safety, growth in social-emotional learning, and students finding greater opportunities for leadership and community roles;
Whereas, The District’s own School Experience Survey also indicates that students are reporting higher levels of bullying year after year for the past four years;
Whereas, The District employs over 750 psychiatric social workers (PSWs), over 200 Student and Family Navigators, Coordinators, Health Care Advocates, and Organizational Facilitators, including 59 Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) PSWs who help with culturally responsive intervention strategies;
Whereas, The District has implemented the “myCREW” program within BSAP, a student-led campaign that focuses on suicide prevention at secondary schools, allowing a space for students to share their emotions and concerns, as well as the Health, Optimism, Perseverance, and Empowerment (HOPE) Group, which helps students learn and enhance self-awareness and communication skills at mental health clinics and wellness centers;
Whereas, The District has extended the hours of PSWs to help provide support for students during extended learning programs, such as Beyond the Bell;
Whereas, Suicide prevention involves inclusive school-wide activities and programs that enhance a sense of belonging, contribute to a safe and nurturing environment, and strengthen protective factors that reduce the risk for students; and
Whereas, National Suicide Prevention Week will be observed from September 6 through the 12, 2026, to help call public attention to the increasing incidence of suicide and to inform about suicide prevention and warning signs of suicide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District hereby declares September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in the Los Angeles Unified School District;
Resolved further, That throughout National Suicide Prevention Month, but especially during National Suicide Prevention Week (September 6-12, 2026), and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2026), the District will use social media channels and direct communication to District families to raise awareness and promote resources on suicide prevention, especially resources focused on the needs of our most vulnerable students;
Resolved further, That District staff provide an update to California Ed Code 215 that requires mandatory mental health screenings for students and how staff is proceeding with this requirement, including how it is being communicated with teachers, staff, students, and parents;
Resolved further, That the District further enhance its partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health for services that are offered to students, staff, and families that may not be offered within the District;
Resolved further, That the Superintendent or his designee provide an update to the board in the Spring of 2027 with a strict focus on mental health supports for students, teachers, and staff, identifying where the District has elevated its services through established metrics, and identifying key challenges including but not limited to funding; and, be it finally
Resolved, That by the adoption of this resolution, the Board encourages all students, faculty, administrators, and parents to promote a climate of positive behavior support and intervention; monitor students’ emotional state and well-being; and make referrals for crisis support and mental health, as needed.