CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara speaks to the media regarding the first day of the new school year, Monday Aug 24, 2020.
Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 | 2:11 p.m.
Student suicides are up sharply as children remain socially isolated and attend classes remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic, Clark County School District Superintendent Jesus Jara said today.
"We've lost more this year in this first semester than all of last year," he said.
Since July, 11 students have committed suicide, Jara said. He did not offer any numbers for comparison.
"When you look at the social isolation and what's happening with the economy and at home, that's a factor," Jara said.
Other factors could also be at play, but the impact of the pandemic is certainly partly to blame for the increasing numbers, he said.
Students have been working remotely since the school year started in late August. With the virus once again surging, the School Board has not yet decided when to bring students back to the classroom.
Eleven schools have been targeted for more intensive mental health support, Jara said. He did not identify the schools.
Social workers and school counselors have also been exploring ways to bring some normalcy back to students’ lives, Jara said.
"We are not only in the midst of a health crisis, but we are being challenged with a mental health crisis and an academic crisis," he said.
People contemplating suicide can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433). The Crisis Call Center Text Line can be reached by texting “LISTEN” to 839863.
