Counselors available at Hanford High after 9th-grade student dies by suicide
Counselors were at Hanford High School on Monday after a ninth-grade student died by suicide over the weekend.
Principal Tory Christensen sent an email to parents following Jude Deering’s death to let them know Richland School District counselors would be at the school’s library Monday.
“Jude really liked Hanford High School and the friends that she made here,” he said in the email. “We extend our sympathy and support to her family and friends. ... Our thoughts are with each of you during this difficult time.”
She had attended Three Rivers HomeLink as a middle school student and transferred to Hanford High this fall, said an email sent to HomeLink parents.
Christensen noted people grieve in different ways and stages, and some may find solace in sharing their feelings while others may not want to talk about it at all.
Her death could also impact people who didn’t know Deering because of their own experiences.
Teens struggling with suicidal thoughts can reach out to the National Youth Suicide Prevention lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text “home” to 741741.
They can also reach out to the Benton Franklin Crisis Response Center at 509-783-0500.
The school district also provided a list of warning signs for parents to watch for, including:
- Expressing hopelessness about the future.
- Displaying severe or overwhelming pain or distress.
- Showing changes in behavior including withdrawing from friends, changes in social activities, anger or hostilitiy or changes in sleep.
- Talking about, writing about or making plans for suicide.
- Experiencing loss, change, personal humiliation or getting in trouble at home, school or with the law.
This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 11:25 AM.