By Kim Hilsenbeck
October is the national month for several causes, but for Hays CISD students, one of the most important is National Bullying Prevention Month.
The district is set to launch a new, general smart phone app – one feature will be the Hays Hopeline. Through it, students will be able to reach out via text and be connected to the appropriate counselor or school administrator to confidentially report bullying, harassment, cyber-bullying, personal crisis or some other type of crisis.
Students can also access Hays HopeLine directly through the internet using the virtual app if they don’t have a smart phone.
Hays CISD counselor Charlotte Winkelmann and Dianne Borreson, Executive Director of Technology Services, are leading the development and rollout of the new program. According to Hays CISD spokesperson Tim Savoy, Winkelmann first proposed the idea during the spring semester.
One catalyst for the app was a comment made by a young girl from Florida on the obituary of a Dahlstrom Middle School student, saying she wanted to end her life because of problems at school. Commenters on several social media and other websites indicated the Dahlstrom student took his own life, though that information was not in the obituary or on the Hays Free Press website.
The goal of Hays Hopeline, Savoy said, is to get students to reach out to an adult.
“If we can make that as comfortable as possible for students, we increase the chances they will reach out if they are in crisis,” he said. “We know using a smartphone, texting, or sending a message (via the virtual app) on a computer are all ways of communication teens have embraced.”
In a letter to district parents about Hays Hopeline, Savoy referenced a recent teen suicide at an Austin high school. In that incident, the young man took his life on the campus in front of other students.
Savoy provided parents with help recognizing suicide warning signs and talking with students about preventing such a tragedy.
The letter offered information to parents who find their children are:
• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Increasing their use of alcohol or drugs.
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves.
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.
Savoy also included the link to a website he said has some valuable information: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
He provided the phone number for Lifeline, saying, “No matter what problems you are dealing with, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.”
“We encourage you to contact your school campus counselor if you want to discuss concerns about your child’s mental health,” Savoy said.
