CDC, Fairfax County Public Schools Holding Focus Groups on Suicide Prevention

UPDATE: FCPS worked with Fairfax and VA health departments to request CDC assistance. Parents from eight schools have been invited to participate. The schools were identified by CDC from pattern of recent (last three years) suicides and ER visits due to suicide attempts, plus youth survey data. Unfortunately, they do not have the capacity to conduct more groups or include more parents.

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Is there something about Fairfax County schools that is creating an atmosphere that is too stressful for its students?

Fairfax County Public Schools has teamed up with the Centers for Disease Control to explore suicide prevention and specifically looking at “school climate, peer pressure and bullying,” according to a report today by WTOP. Part of the prevention efforts include a series of meetings with area families beginning tonight (Monday night).

The focus groups scheduled this week are part of an attempt to address a spike in suicides in the area.

“Certainly we know that the primary risk factor is mental health issues,” Mary Ann Panarelli, Director of Fairfax County Public Schools Intervention and Prevention Services, told the radio station.

The locations and times are:

• Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.: Virginia Hills Administrative Center, 6520 Diana Lane, Alexandria, 22310
• Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.: Leis Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church
• Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.: Mountain View Alternative High School, 5775 Spindle Court, Centreville

Suicides that have been reported have taken place in McLean, where two Langley High School students took their lives and in Fairfax, at W.T. Woodson HIgh School.

More information on suicide prevention can be found here, from Fairfax County.

Image courtesy of Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board