Archives For Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA

man s face
Photo by Raphael Brasileiro on Pexels.com

Suicide Prevention for Youth

Warning signs in youth for suicide:

  • Talking about or making plans for suicide
  • Expressing hopelessness about the future
  • Displaying severe/overwhelming emotional pain or distress
  • Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior, particularly in the presence of the warning signs above.


This includes signs of significant:

– Withdrawal from or change in social connections/situations
– Changes in sleep (increased or decreased)
– Anger or hostility that seems out of character or context
– Recent increased agitation or irritability


For more details on the suicide warning sides for various age levels, visit: https://www.youthsuicidewarningsigns.org/

Organizations also would benefit from this suicide prevention guide:

SAMSHA Guide:

Treatment for Suicidal Ideation, Self-harm, and Suicide Attempts Among Youth

Download Treatment of Suicidal Ideation, Self-harm, and Suicide Attempts Among Youth

https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Treatment-for-Suicidal-Ideation-Self-harm-and-Suicide-Attempts-Among-Youth/PEP20-06-01-002

Managing those difficult conversations with youth who are self-harming or suicidal can be a challenge. While there are many components needed to equip a caregiver to vulnerable youth who are suicidal or practice self-harm. This tool has a few simple prompts to guide conversations.

Continue Reading...

Hammond’s neuroscience based Ready 4 Rigor Framework truly resonates with me as a launching point to overhaul our current Covid19 educational challenges. The Ready 4 Rigor Framework helps us understand how the utilization of CRT supports developing independent students who can “accelerate their capacity” and thereby decrease the achievement gap

Continue Reading...

woman with smeared eyes in studio
Photo by Thiago Matos on Pexels.com

Instead of Cutting… Move and Distract 

105 Ideas (Choose 10 Best for You)

Adapted from Adolescent Self Injury Foundation:

https://www.adolescentselfinjuryfoundation.com/things-to-do-besides-self-harm

Printable Handout

1.  Exercise.  
2.  Put on fake tattoos.  
3.  Draw on yourself with washable red marker - 
then take a shower and wash away your pain. 
4.  Scribble on sheets of paper. 
5.  Text or call trustworthy support immediately and ask for help. 
6.  Touch or suck on ice cubes while enjoying your favorite drink.
7.   Be with other people. 
8.   Watch a favorite TV show. 
10.  Think about how  "I DON'T WANT SCARS FOR SUMMER!!" 
11.  Paint your nails a new color. 
12.  Download a support app: Happify, Virtual Hopebox. Virtue the      app, My3. 
13.  Eat something yummy you can't resist. 
14.  Do your school work. 
15.  Write a letter to someone but never send it. 
16.  Watch aquarium fish.
17.  Call a friend and ask them to come hang out. 
18.  Play a musical instrument or sing. 
19.  Write or find poetry that expresses how you feel.  
20.  Look up at the sky, and  find the moon.  Study it. 
21.  Ask doctor about vitamins:  multi., B Complex, D, GABA
22.  Get a punching  bag and boxing gloves.  Name the bag 
then use it when you need to. 
23.  Snap a rubber band  (hair band) on your wrist. 
24.  Cover yourself with band-aids where you want to cut. 
25.  Go to the zoo and rename the animals. 
26.  Let yourself cry, even if it is hard. 
27.  Sleep,  only if you are tired. 
28.  Do the exact opposite of what you really  want to do. 
29.  Play with a pet. Visit a pet store. 
30.  Smile to at least 5 people. 
31.  Watch something inspirational on Youtube.
32.  Go out and perform one act of kindness. 
33.  Have a pillow fight with a wall. 
34.  Knit a scarf. 
35.  Read a good book. 
36.  Dress up glamorous, with makeup to match.  
37.  Color your hair. 
38.  Listen to music (non-triggering)
39.  Find a new funny meme. 
40.  Find someone else you can help.  Do volunteer work. 
41.  Meditate.  Track your breathing. 
42.  Call up an old friend and catch up. 
43.  Start a mood journal and write in it every day.  
Do patterns surface?  Track your triggers. 
45.  Go somewhere very public. 
46.  Bake cookies or another favorite food you like. 
47.  Take your own dog, or a friend's dog for a walk
48.  Chew gum. 
49.  One at a time: Use each of your 5 senses to locate 2 items. 
50.  Paint or draw.
51.  Rip paper into really small pieces. 
52.  Give someone a hug. 
53.  Record yourself. 
55.  Hug a pillow or stuffed animal. 
56.  Hyper-focus on something like a rock, stream or plant. 
57.  Write yourself an “I love you because…” letter and keep it. 
58.  Scream as loud as you want. 
59.  Dance. 
60.  Make hot chocolate. 
61.  Pop bubble wrap. 
62.  Play with play dough or slime. 
63.  Count to 100. 
64.  Build a pillow fort. 
65.  Blow up a balloon and pop it. 
66.  Hug yourself. 
67.  Write yourself an "I love myself because" letter and keep it. Read it when you feel down. 
68.  Read things in a different language. 
69.  Go for a nice long walk, or jog. 
70.  Complete something you have been putting off. 
71.  Drink a cup of herbal tea. 
72.  Fold paper and invent a new origami shape. 
74.  Build or create something. 
75. Butterfly hug yourself. 
76. Visualize a happy scene and pretend to be there.
77. Practice “square breathing” (4s In, 4s. Hold, 4s. Out, 4s. Rest).
78. Diffuse/roll-on essential oils: lavender, peppermint & favorite
79.  Cook a meal.
80.  Go out for ice cream.
81.  Buy a stuffed animal.
82.  Look at pretty things-like flowers or art work.
83.  Tighten and flex your muscles progressively throughout your body.
84.  Pray to God. Ask for His comfort.
85.  Throw socks against the wall.
86.  Make a list of blessings in your life.
88.  Rock or spin in a chair.
89.   Watch a comedy movie.
90.   Call your therapist or make an appointment with one.
91.   Talk to someone close that you trust.
92.   Feel your feet. Press them gently into the floor. Hold and release.
93.   Read the Bible or listen to the Bible App -message version.
94.   Create a “safety plan”. Carry it with you or hang on the wall.
95.   Hide under a pillow and snuggle in a blanket. Notice cozy.
96.   Color and decorate a calendar planner or notebook. 
97.   Feed the ducks / birds.
98.   Write or draw pain points on a paper then tell 
God how much it hurts. Ask for His help.
99.   View nature images online. Watch a safari or river video
100.  Yell into a pillow.
101.  Play in a sandbox or create your own.
102.  Go through all your old stuff, and donate to Goodwill.
103.  Take a walk in the woods and breathe the fresh air.
104.  Cartwheel three times.
105.  Get some toys or fidgets and play like you are 5 years 
old again!

It has been quite an era for educators to retool. Wow! I believe they are truly heroes to pour into our children despite the current global pandemic. This social media Wakelet collection was curated to provide snippets from a few Culturally Responsive and/or Trauma Informed (CR-TI) influencers. Utilizing both lenses provides more opportunities for students’ brains to engage and their hearts to heal and RECONNECT with school and learning amidst the 2020 Great Shutdown and remote learning. Please feel free to say hi or share CR-TI resources at my twitter @HeloiseRidley: