District presents annual suicide, depression prevention report; referrals fall from 128 to 79

The Joliet Township High School District presented its annual suicide and depression prevention report to the board, describing a year-over-year drop in students referred for outside mental‑health evaluations and planned changes to screening and recordkeeping. Dr. Guzman, superintendent, introduced the section and named the presenters.

The report, presented by JR Randich, Julie Adelman and Andre Buie, said referrals for outside evaluation declined from 128 in the prior year to 79 this year — a drop of about 38 percent. “This is our annual report, suicide depression prevention annual report,” JR Randich said while opening the presentation.

District staff cautioned the board that the numerical decrease does not automatically mean fewer students need help. The presenters said some referrals in prior years were repeat hospitalizations for the same students and that the district will continue to monitor for under‑identification. The report said staff sent cases to the district threat‑assessment team and that this was the second full year that all suicide and depression cases were routed through threat assessment.

To improve consistency and confidentiality, staff said they will require completion of a screening form and place it in a secure counseling folder in Infinite Campus. The district also said it has updated its HIPAA authorization form and will provide it in both English and Spanish for next year.

Presenters described several programmatic items under consideration or in use: piloting an Alyssa’s Mission demonstration for possible curriculum incorporation; continuing NAMI classroom presentations (with staff and student feedback incorporated after the first year); and using community partners such as Guardian Angel and the Will County Health Department for referrals.

District staff noted operational limits on some services. Staff said SAS (School‑based Assessment Services) is only available to families with Medicaid, and that some third‑party teletherapy providers (ThriveWorks) rely heavily on online appointments; presenters said ThriveWorks will provide limited in‑person sessions in some circumstances but that availability can vary for Spanish‑speaking families. Presenters said ThriveWorks remains useful because it is free to families.

The district will continue data collection and annual reporting, expand staff training on reentry and screening, pilot curriculum items and consider further partnerships to increase in‑person supports.

The board asked clarifying questions about translation and outreach; staff said family‑engagement personnel assist with Spanish‑language outreach and that the district notifies families within 24 hours when students refuse recommended programs so families can reconsider and bring students in quickly.

District staff asked the board to note this is an ongoing annual policy reporting item and that staff would return with updates as implementation continues.