Toms River superintendent responds to Central Regional student's death
TOMS RIVER - Toms River Regional Superintendent Mike Citta assured parents and students that the district is taking steps to communicate with students following the death of a 14-year-old girl in the nearby Central Regional school district.
The fallout of the teen's death, which her father said followed an assault in a school hallway by other female students, along with online bullying, led to the resignation of long-time Central Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides.
If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, call or text 988 for help, 24 hours a day.
Earlier this week, Citta mailed a letter detailing the district's outreach to students; on Wednesday night he read the letter at the Board of Education meeting. Citta noted that he has a 15-year-old daughter in high school, saying the events on the past week have really hit home.
"Beginning last week and continuing throughout this week, our building administrators, counselors, teachers and support staff have been traveling from classroom to classroom to offer an ear, have a discussion, and talk about resources in our schools, district and community that can provide support for any traumatic or everyday situation," Citta read from his letter. "It is extremely important that our students and families know we are here to listen and support them. In fact, being truly heard is the first step towards healing."
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He said the district is working with its Mental Health Committee, School Safety Teams, Super Safe and Drug-Free Committee, and other relevant groups to review Toms River Regional's policies regarding bullying, harassment, intimidation and cell-phone use.
Citta added that the district's guidance counselors are available to meet students on request, and urged parents to contact their child's school if they feel they need additional assistance.
The district has a web page that provides additional links and resources for students and parents, including mental health assistance and anti-bullying help. Each of Toms River Regional's 18 schools has a anti-bullying specialist to assist students and parents.
"We are blessed in our community to have so many compassionate students, staff, and stakeholders, but we also realize we are not immune to the pressures of today's society and its demands," Citta said. "Communication, consistency, compassion and commitment to putting our students' well-being first are the factors that drive any decision we make related to our school community."
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Parent Renee Gaudino urged the board to inform students of the district's code of conduct at the beginning of the school year, to try to impress on kids that there will be consequences for bullying behavior.
"Maybe some kids that are being peer-pressured by others" would reconsider their behavior if they knew the repercussions more clearly, she said.
Resources
The following is a list of free resources available to New Jersey residents experiencing a mental-health crisis.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: U.S. residents can now call or text 988 to connect with suicide prevention specialists or access mental health resource information.
NJ Suicide Prevention Hopeline: At 855-654-6735, specialists are available for confidential telephone counseling and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mental health resources for Toms River students and parents: https://www.trschools.com/students/mental-health-resources
Anti-Bullying resources for students and parents: https://www.trschools.com/students/bullying
NJ Mental Health Cares: New Jersey's behavioral health information and referral service is at 866-202-HELP. Behavioral care specialists are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
2nd Floor Youth Helpline: New Jersey residents ages 10 to 24 can call or text 888-222-2228, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Trevor Project: National organization focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 866-488-7386.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 38 years. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Central Regional bullying: Toms River offers mental health support
