Spring requires extra vigilance when it comes to identifying warning signs of trouble in our students. There are many rites of passage that occur during the spring months – prom, graduation, senior skip days, and the ending of the school year. All of these events carry the potential for misuse of substances, compromised driving skills, and the sense of freedom that is often accompanied by risk-taking in teens.
But, what I’m talking about here is the increase in suicide numbers that tend to peak during the months of May and June. During an average month, 700 persons die by suicide. During the months of May and June, that number increases to 800 per month. This effect is also seen in the southern hemisphere, in opposite months.
The complexity of suicide makes it difficult to determine the exact reason for the increase, but researchers have a few theories. One is that an individual’s energy may increase as the weather warms, providing just enough of a surge to complete a long-considered suicide. Other theories deal with agitation caused by bipolar disorder, inflammatory diseases, low vitamin D levels, and even tree pollens.You can take a deeper dive into this topic here.
It’s also important to be aware that there are a number of anniversary dates of school violence in the spring. For students who may be considering violence, the following anniversary dates can be significant:
April 1, Prescott High School, Prescott, Arkansas
April 2, Oikos University, Oakland, California
April 2, Cardozo High School, Washington, D.C.
April 9, Gloversville Middle School, Gloversville, New York
April 10, North Park Elementary School, San Bernardo, California
April 11, East English Village Preparatory Academy, Detroit, Michigan
April 12, New River Community College, Christainsburg, Virginia
April 12, Raytown South Middle School, Raytown, Missouri
April 13, Wayne Community College, Goldsboro, North Carolina
April 13, Sheeler Charter High School, Apopka, Florida
April 14, John McDonough High School, New Orleans, Louisiana
April 15, Booker T. Washington High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 16, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
April 17, Flex High School, Flint, Michigan
April 19, Ross Elementary School, Houston, Texas
April 20, Columbine High School
April 20, Forest High School, Ocala Florida
April 23, Antigo High School Prom, Antigo Wisconsin
April 24, Red Lion Area Junior High School, Red Lion, Pennsylvania
April 25, Wynbrooke Elementary School, Stone Mountain, Georgia
April 30, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
May 4, Paine College, Augusta, Georgia
May 4, North Lake College, Irving Texas
May 4, East High School, Pueblo, Colorado
May 5, Paine College, Augusta Georgia
May 5, Highpoint High School, Belleville, Maryland
May 7, Randallstown High School, Randallstown, Maryland
May 7, STEM School Highlands Ranch, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
May 8, Second Chance High School, Chicago, Illinois
May 9, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
May 10, San Jose State University, San Jose, California
May 11, Highland High School, Palmdale, California
May 14, Duvall County School Bus, Jacksonville, Florida
May 13, Southside High School, Greenville, South Carolina
May 13, Chimborazo Elementary School, Richmond, Virginia
May 15, Augusta High School, Augusta, Kansas
May 15, Moss Bluff Elementary School, Lake Charles, Louisiana
May 16, Dixon High School, Dixon, Illinois
May 17, Raines High School, Jacksonville, Florida
May 18, Harvard College Dormitory, Cambridge, Massachusetts
May 18, South Gate High School, South Gate, California
May 18, Larose Louisiana
May 18, Santa Fe High School, Texas
May 18, Mount Zion High School, Jonesboro, Georgia
May 21, Thompson K-12 International Academy, Southfield, Michigan
May 21, Clarke Street Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
May 23, University of California-Santa Barbara
May 23, Highlands Intermediate School, Pearl City,k Hawaii
May 24, Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, Texas
May 24, Technical High School, St. Cloud, Minnesota
May 24, Redland Middle School, Homestead, Florida
May 25, Noblesville West Middle School, Noblesville, Indiana
May 26, McLain High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 27, Horizon Elementary School, Everett, Washington
If you’re not sure what to look for in terms of warning signs, check out the suicide warning signs and violence warning signs freebies from Youth Risk Prevention Specialists. If you need more help, please contact me for training opportunities.