REPORTING A STUDENT CONCERN--USING STOP IT
STOPit is an online reporting tool designed to deter and mitigate bullying, cyber abuse, and other inappropriate behaviors, consisting of an app and a back-end incident management system for school administrators.
Our students will have access to the STOPit mobile app, which has two simple but powerful features.
Specifically, the program educates students to:
Recognize the signs of at-risk behaviors
Take every sign and signal seriously
Report it anonymously through STOPit App/Web or 24/7 Incident Response Center
Submit photo or video evidence (App/Web Only)
Alert designated administrators to issues and risks early, before they escalate
No personal information is needed to use STOPit. The only way personally identifiable information will be accessible through STOPit is if a requester voluntarily includes it within the content of a request or message.
STOPit Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
Download the app:
Students and STOPit--A Great Partnership!
Parents Love STOPit!
STOPit’s Anonymous Reporting System (ARS) empowers students and staff to anonymously report safety, misconduct and compliance concerns BEFORE they escalate into a crisis or other legal matter. Using the ARS is as easy as 1-2-3:
SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE
Plainfield Schools conducted a survey of students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members. One key takeaway? Well over half of students of all ages reported feeling sad every day.
While we realize that feeling sad does not usually lead to self-harm or suicide, it is cause for concern. There has been increased focus in recent years on the increase of suicide in the United States, and Indiana is not immune.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017), suicide is the second leading cause of death throughout the United States for three age groups:
10-14
15-24
25-34
The Indiana Department of Education shared this report in 2018:
Indiana has the 3rd highest rate (1 in 5) of high school students in the nation who have contemplated suicide.
Indiana tied for the 10th highest percentage (1 in 9) of high school students attempting suicide.
Males are 4 times more likely to die by suicide than females.
Females are 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than males.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24.
The statistics are alarming, and death by suicide is one of Indiana’s most concerning health issues. However, there is help and hope when parents, schools, and communities join forces to address suicide as a preventable public health problem.
A study by the United Health Foundation tracked suicide among age groups in 2018 and 2019. The national rates, per 100,000 people, were 13.1 in 2018 and 14.4 in 2019. In Indiana, those rates grew from 15.7 to 16.7 per 100,000 Hoosiers between 15 and 24.
WHAT WE'RE DOING TO SUPPORT STUDENTS
Plainfield Schools employs two Mental Wellness Counselors to support middle and high school students. These counselors are in addition to the Guidance and School Counselors who work in each school.
In 2019, Plainfield Schools began hosting parent forums using material developed by the QPR Institute. QPR stands for Question. Persuade. Refer., and is a leading model for suicide prevention.
Mental Wellness Counselors Christa Detzel (PHS) and Jennifer Bigelow (PCMS) are certified QPR facilitators, and they have now presented this training to all district teachers and administrators.
While QPR is not a form of counseling or treatment, it does offer hope through positive action, and equips individuals to recognize the warning signs, clues and suicidal communications of people in trouble.
By having a better understanding of suicide in general, and educating staff and the community on the hope that QPR offers, we are able to support students who are struggling with thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
Question. Persuade. Refer. ASK A QUESTION, SAVE A LIFE.
Warning signs of suicide:
Suicide threats
Previous suicide attempts
Alcohol or drug abuse
Statements revealing a desire to die
Sudden changes in behavior
Prolonged depression
Making final arrangements
Giving away prized possessions
Purchasing a gun or stockpiling pills