Continuing the discussion about suicide attempts

(Decorah School Superintendent Mike Haluska has submitted the following statement about how the school district handled a suicide attempt at the Middle School last Friday):

"Regardless of the thoughts of the individual who is "appalled" with our handling of the incident, the fact of the matter is that our primary concern at this time is honoring the wishes of the young man's parents.  Everything that has been released up to this point has been drafted in conjunction with the parents and released with their approval.  This has nothing to do with hiding anything at all.  If we are going to err as a District, it is going to be on the side of the family that is suffering in a way very few can relate to.

With that said, please recognize the district has gone to great lengths to educate both staff and students regarding mental health issues.  Our elementary and middle school staffs and students have been trained and educated in Character Counts, Olweus Bullying Prevention and PBIS (Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports).  All staff members have received a "short course" in Mental Health First Aid and the full course was offered in-district this year.  It's our intent to continue trying to provide the class. 

We are working with both Winneshiek Medical Center and Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health to provide counseling for students in grades 3-12.  In June, the administrative team will be working with Dr. Bridget Hensley, a Doctor of Psychology in Behavioral Medicine at Winneshiek Medical Center, on how to better coordinate our efforts should an incident of this sort happen again. 

To think this is an issue the school district is ignoring in any way could not be further from the truth.  However I wish to reiterate that the wishes of the immediate family must be our first concern at this time.  An update will be conveyed to staff and students throughout the entire K-12 spectrum in the very near future.  Again, this message is one approved by the family. 

With so little time left in the school year, it will be difficult to address the matter in as comprehensive a way as we may have wished.  However, that may still happen to begin the next school year.  I'm sure our conversation with Dr. Hensley will assist us in determining how to best proceed in the future."