An emergency meeting is being held tonight at 6 p.m. at St. Clair High School following the news of the third student suicide in less than seven weeks.
According to school officials, the student, a female freshman at the school, committed suicide on Monday night. Grief counselors from CHADS--Communities Handling Adolescent Depression and Suicide--were at the high school all day, and will be making the presentation on parent awareness at tonight's meeting. Joining them were counselors from Crider Mental Health Center, Preferred Family Healthcare, as well as counseling staff from other area high schools and local clergy.
Dr. Mike Murphy, St. Clair R-XIII Superintendent, said the three students--a male junior, a female sophomore, and a female freshman--had "very different circumstances in their lives."
"At this time the district is working with every available resource in the region to help the school community cope with this crisis," Murphy said.
The high school had already planned a school presentation with CHADS to help cope with the first two suicides.
"Now it takes on even greater significance," said Murphy.
All parents concerned about the suicides in St. Clair are encouraged to attend the meeting at 6 p.m. tonight at the high school.
CHADS Family Support: 314-952-8274
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK
Trevor Project (For LGBTQ youth) 866-4-U-TREVO
STL County Youth Connection Helpline 314-628-2929 or Text 4HLP to 31658
KUTO Crisis Line 1-800-644-KUTO (5886)
