Loneliness can affect not just your mental health but also your physical health.
Shining a Light on Student Mental Health During Suicide Awareness Month
-
Asia Tabb
Loneliness can affect not just your mental health but also your physical health.
AIRED; September 29, 2025
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.
As schools across Pennsylvania welcome students back to classrooms, mental health experts are using Suicide Awareness Month to highlight a growing concern: youth suicide and the importance of supporting students’ social-emotional well-being.
Dr. Jessica Dirsmith, president of the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania and a practicing school psychologist in the Gateway School District, emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues in educational settings. “When we think about the age range we work with in schools—pre-K through 21—suicide is one of the leading causes of death for the students we serve,” Dr. Dirsmith explains. “It’s very important to have time out of the year to be aware of this epidemic and work toward solutions for students and communities.”
Dr. Rachel Eisenberg, communications chair of the association and a licensed psychologist at the Devereux Center for Effective Schools, notes a growing need for social-emotional and behavioral supports. “We’re seeing an increase in students’ behavioral health needs across all school settings. With that comes increased concern about high-risk behaviors, including suicide,” she says.
Both experts stress the collaborative role of school psychologists, teachers, and parents in identifying students at risk. Dr. Dirsmith outlines how schools often use screenings, academic data, attendance records, and behavioral observations to detect warning signs early. “Indicators can include increasing isolation, hopelessness, talking about death, or changes in behavior such as substance use. School psychologists play a critical role in organizing teams and reviewing this data to provide support,” she says.
While the pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges, both experts note that interventions can be effective. Dr. Eisenberg highlights the impact of school-wide positive behavioral interventions, explaining that even systems-level changes—like modifying staff practices—can help students build coping skills and reduce risky behaviors. “We’ve seen schools reduce major behavior referrals and improve staff confidence in supporting students through proactive, prevention-based approaches,” she says.
Dr. Dirsmith stresses the importance of open conversations about mental health. “Sometimes adults hesitate to ask students about suicidal thoughts because they fear it might make things worse. Research shows that asking in a supportive way does not increase risk—it opens a dialogue and can save lives,” she says.
Suicide Awareness Month serves as a reminder that schools are a critical setting for prevention and intervention. By providing tools, training, and support for educators, parents, and students, Pennsylvania’s school psychologists are working to create safer, healthier learning environments.
For parents and educators looking for resources, Dr. Dirsmith recommends consulting school psychologists and local mental health organizations to guide conversations and identify support systems.
