Wellness Archives - Bulkeley High School

Our school is participating in SOS Signs of Suicide which teaches warning signs for suicide and how to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) to get help if you are worried about yourself or a friend.

In class, we will watch SOS video clips and discuss them together. Following the videos, all students will complete a response slip asking if they would like to speak to an adult. After class, we will check in with any student who wants to talk. We will also be contacting some students for feedback about the program.

Additional Resources

ACT Parent Handout (English)

ACT Parent Handout (Español)

ACT Infographic (English)

ACT Infographic (Español)

Parent Workshop: Helping Your Child Save a Life

CT Dept. of Mental Health

Dear Parent / Guardian,

During this challenging year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.

SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.

Through the program, students learn:

- that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
- how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
- to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
- who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a response slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk.

We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.

We are including:

- An infographic for you to reinforce the ACT message at home
- An info sheet with resources
- A list of local resources are linked to Bulkeley High School’s website

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please contact any of our School Counselors or School social workers.

Sincerely,
Digna Marte, Bulkeley High School Principal

Estimados padres / Tutor,

Durante este año de desafío, el personal de la escuela trabaja para enseñar a los estudiantes acerca de la salud mental y cómo buscar ayuda si están preocupados por ellos mismos o algún amigo. Estamos utilizando un programa llamado (SOS Signs of Suicide) Señales de Suicidio. El programa enseña a los estudiantes acerca de este difícil tema y los estimula a solicitar ayuda.

SOS ha sido utilizado por miles de escuelas durante las últimas décadas. Estudios han demostrado que enseña a los estudiantes eficazmente acerca de la depresión y el suicidio mientras que reduce el número de intentos de suicidio reportados por los mismos estudiantes.

A través del programa, los estudiantes aprenden:

- La depresión puede ser tratada y por lo tanto se les estimula a buscar ayuda.
- Cómo identificar la depresión y el riesgo potencial de suicidio de ellos mismos o algún amigo.
- (ACT: Acknowledge, Care and Tell) ACTUAR: Reconocer, Cuidado e Informar a un adulto de confianza si está preocupado por sí mismo o algún amigo.
- A que personas pueden acudir en la escuela para obtener ayuda, si la necesitan.

Los estudiantes observarán videoclips apropiados para su edad y participarán en un dialogo acerca de la depresión, el suicidio y además qué hacer si están preocupados por algún amigo. Después del video, los estudiantes completarán una hoja de respuestas en la que se les pregunta si les gustaría hablar con un adulto acerca de cualquier preocupación. El personal de la escuela llevará a cabo reuniones breves con cualquier estudiante que solicite hablar.

Les recomendamos que visiten www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent para obtener información acerca de las señales de advertencia del suicidio de jóvenes, recursos útiles y algunos mensajes claves que los estudiantes aprenderán.

Incluimos: una infografía para que usted fortalezca el mensaje de ACT en el hogar, hoja de papel con información de recursos y lista de programas locales en el sitio de Bulkeley.

Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud acerca de la participación de sus hijos en este programa, comuníquese conmigo al (incluya número de teléfono, correo electrónico y mejor horario para hacer contacto) o con uno de nuestros consejeros escolares.

Sinceramente,

Sra. Marte, Principal de Bulkeley

Social Studies Teacher Corey Moses gets a well-earned massage for Valentine’s Day

In keeping with Bulkeley’s focus on employee wellness, SoVita Chiropractic Center provided Valentine’s Massages for any available staff this week. All participants received a chair massage from a certified massage therapist, and then sat for a complimentary chiropractic consultation.

SoVita comes to Bulkeley via their partnership with the Hartford Boys & Girls club, and it all began with a call to Mrs. Baez, BHS Executive Assistant. “They wanted to come in and do something for our staff, and Principal Marte and I are always looking for ways to show the staff how much we appreciate the amazing job they do every day. Doing this on Valentine’s Day was just the perfect fit.”

Participants received a free PostureScreen report with their massage and consultation.

SoVita is committed to helping teachers as well. “We’re here to work with any community organization that helps Hartford’s youth. Certainly nobody does that more than Hartford’s teachers,” said Jessica Hardingham, Public Relations Director for SoVita. “We have been working with the Hartford community for about 10 years,” she continued. “In that time we’ve observed that good chiropractic care, whether with us or someone else, helps improve employee morale and reduce sick days.” Participants received a free consultation with their massage, including a detailed PostureScreen report like the one pictured here.

In addition to these free massages and consultations, SoVita participates in Anthem BC/BS, the insurance provider for Hartford Public Schools. “Anthem’s coverage for chiropractic care and wellness is better than most plans,” she added.

Today was SoVita’s second visit, and they’re scheduled to return around Teacher Appreciation Week this spring.

NON DISCRIMINATION/ TITLE IX STATEMENT

The Board of Education complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws prohibiting the exclusion of any person from any of its educational programs or activities or the denial to any person of the benefits of any of its educational programs or activities because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age or disability, subject to the conditions and limitation established by law. The preamble to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Bulkeley High School

Matthew Espinosa, Principal

Category: Wellness