How parents should discuss suicide with their children:
1.) Parents should not be fearful of asking the question. The question will not prompt someone to kill themselves.
2.) If parents have concerns, they should bring it up at the right time and in the right way.
3.) Don't discuss this topic when children are angry or just home from school.
4.) Don't ask questions in an accusatory way, but in a more general way. Don't ask, "Is there anything wrong with you?" Rather, ask general questions like, "What has been going on with you and your friends?"
Source: Gregory D. Ramey, PhD., Executive Director, Dayton Children's Hospital Center for Pediatric Mental Health Resources
Suicides committed in Ohio, under the age of 18:
2014: 20
2013: 32
2012: 53
2011: 55
Source: Ohio Department of Health
A sixth-grade girl died unexpectedly Tuesday at Central Middle School in Xenia, prompting a lockdown of the building and early dismissal of students.
Details surrounding her death remain unclear, but Denny Morrison, superintendent of Xenia Community Schools, said it was not the result of school violence, nor were other students in danger. He declined to comment on if the death was a suicide.
Police and medics responded to the school shortly after noon Tuesday on the report of an attempted hanging.
The police are investigating the death of the girl, 12.
UPDATE: Grief counselors at school | LIVE CHAT TODAY: How to talk to your kids about suicide
“It’s a terrible tragedy,” Morrison said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the young lady and her family.”
The school district issued a statement late Tuesday afternoon that said it will not release any additional information at this time, citing respect for the student’s family. District officials did not return a message seeking comment about the initial report of an attempted hanging.
The Greene County Coroner’s Office said a cause of death has not yet been determined, and an autopsy is scheduled for today. The office referred all other questions to the Xenia Police Department. The police department referred all questions to the school district.
Morrison said district officials talked with the police, fire and coroner’s office officials after the incident.
“Everybody has said the school did everything that they could possibly do,” Morrison said.
Morrison said the school was placed on lockdown immediately after the incident until students were dismissed at 2 p.m. A “one-call” also was sent out to parents, he said.
Classes will resume today at Central Middle School, Morrison said. Grief counselors will be on hand for students and staff members.
Gregory D. Ramey, executive director of Dayton Children’s Hospital Center for Pediatric Mental Health Resources, did not know the details of the Xenia death. However, he said that 90 percent of children 12 years old and younger who attempt suicide have an underlying mental disorder, usually depression.
“Many younger kids don’t have the coping strategies of older kids,” Ramey said.
Julie Wardle tried to drop off her grandchild for preschool Tuesday afternoon in Xenia, but she got turned away because class was canceled. She said she was under the impression that students were supposed to wear blue on Monday for anti-bullying day.
“Sad,” Wardle said. “I’m a grandparent and parent, and I don’t want my kids to go through that at all.”
Wayne Nared, a Xenia resident, stopped by the school out of curiosity to try to find out what had happened.
“People have different problems, and people need to talk things out, instead of just trying to hurt themselves,” Nared said.
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