Publication Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Alert Paly friends prevent a suicide
Alert Paly friends prevent a suicide
(January 21, 2004) 'Our process worked. The kids did what they were supposed to do, the adults did what they were supposed to do.'
by Rachel Metz
Quick-thinking, fast-acting friends prevented a suicide of a Palo Alto High School student last week -- reflecting increased awareness since two suicides within 13 months.
The school sent out an e-mail Jan. 13 to Paly students and parents via Paly Link, the school's e-mail list, about the quick-thinking teens' aid to a friend. When a student told friends about feeling suicidal, two stayed with the person while two others reported the incident to Paly's office, where someone dialed 911 to notify police.
"Our process worked. The kids did what they were supposed to, the adults did what they were supposed to," said Carmen Geidt, district director of educational support services. The student is now under a doctor's care, she said.
The attempt distressed students at a school that has already coped with the suicides of two students in a little more than a year. Students said they feel frustrated by the events even though the school has done what it can to help kids cope. Students also say they've become more aware of suicide, what kinds of help are available and what they should do in a situation involving someone contemplating suicide.
The school has devoted class time recently to discussing suicide, educating students on resources for counseling and depression.
The increased attention to the issue has students talking about how to get involved in preventing suicide. Students discussed the recent intervention at Thursday's Student Council meeting, student body President Amy Rogg said.
"I think we need to get involved and make somewhat of a difference around campus instead of, you know, putting up fliers or having counselors around," Rogg said. She acknowledged counselor availability can be good for those who use them.
"I don't want Paly to be known as ... the suicide school where everybody is rich and unhappy," she said, echoing a concern of at least one teacher.
"I think it's like really astounding to people whenever it happens," Paly junior Andrew Yeh said. "We're not, like, used to it." He said when he heard about the recent attempt he was speechless and scared, thinking it might have been someone he knew. "I was really worried," he said.
Mike McNulty, an English teacher at Paly for 11 years, said the suicide-related events of the past year and a half are the most he's seen while at the school.
"The thing that hits me all the time is how frustrating it is," he said, tapping his heart with his hand.
"When you have a situation such as the two suicides we've had, you want instant access to how, instant access to why, instant access to how come -- and it's not there," he said.
"There's a million questions, but there are not many answers."
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