Sioux Falls forum reviews suicide warning signs, school programs and local crisis services
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Summary
A Sioux Falls School District 49-5 Family Forum with Avera outlined warning signs of suicide in children and adolescents, local crisis resources including 988 and Avera Behavioral Health Urgent Care, and school-based programs such as the Ally reporting system and Jefferson High School's Hope Squad.
Sioux Falls 2— At a Family Forum hosted by the Sioux Falls School District 49-5 with Avera, behavioral-health and district staff described warning signs of suicide among children and adolescents, explained how local crisis services assess and treat young people, and highlighted school-based programs that let peers and staff report concerns.
The discussion matters because, speakers said, suicide rates among young people are high and require coordinated action across schools, health providers and families. Thomas Otten, vice president of behavioral health for Avera, told the forum that “in America, there's 12,800,000 people 2think about suicide every year. 1,500,000 of those people attempt suicide, and 48,000 last year died by suicide,” and that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 19 in the United States. The forum took place as district and health partners encourage early identification, peer reporting and clear referral pathways.
Speakers described common warning signs parents and school staff can watch for, including changes in sleep and eating, withdrawal from activities or friends, declines in hygiene, giving away prized possessions, talking about death and self-harm, and overt self-injury. Dr. David Ermer, child and adolescent psychiatrist with Avera, said multiple factors appear to be driving increases in younger children, including preexisting trends that worsened with COVID, family or traumatic events, school stress and online bullying. “We saw the rate go up even before COVID,” Ermer said, and added that social isolation and negative content online can amplify risk.
Panelists emphasized direct, early conversations and peer reporting. Thomas Otten said one of the most effective prevention steps is to name the issue directly: “One of the most important things you can do is simply ask the question, 'Are you having thoughts of suicide?' 2...There is no chance you asking that question is going to plant a seed of suicide.” Becca Drablin, a school counselor at Jefferson High School, described the district's Ally anonymous reporting system and said it lowers barriers for students who fear betraying friends. “This creates a really safe place for students to do that,” Drablin said.
The forum reviewed what happens after a concern is reported. Avera staff described an assessment pathway used at their Behavioral Health Urgent Care: initial registration and a nursing assessment, a counselor interview, an intake team review and then a determination of the least-restrictive appropriate level of care. That continuum includes outpatient counseling, partial-hospital programs and inpatient treatment when clinically necessary. Avera staff said families are part of the process and receive daily updates during inpatient stays and multiple family meetings while a child is hospitalized.
Speakers listed steps families can take to reduce immediate risk at home: secure firearms and lock up medications; monitor substance use; and encourage peers to report concerning comments. Dr. Ermer pointed to firearms as a leading means of suicide and urged limiting children's access to guns. He also encouraged peer support: if students notice warning signs among friends, reporting those concerns to a trusted adult can save lives.
Panelists cited local resources: 988 is available 24/7 for calls, texts and chat; Avera Behavioral Health's Urgent Care operates year-round; and the Sioux Falls School District maintains counseling resources and school counselors who triage concerns and make referrals. The forum noted Jefferson High School recently started a Hope Squad peer-to-peer program in partnership with the Helpline Center; the program trains students to recognize concerns and refer peers to adults rather than serve as therapists.
District and Avera speakers urged parents and school staff to ask questions, stay engaged with children's routines and to use the district's counseling tab or school counselors for resources and reporting.
For resources mentioned at the forum: call or text 988 for immediate assistance, contact the Avera Behavioral Health Urgent Care for local crisis evaluation, or reach your school counselor via the Sioux Falls School District counseling webpage.
