Risk Assessment in Schools

Mark is a Grade 10 student who is very withdrawn and has few friends. Janice, the school counselor, is concerned about Mark. Last year there was a case where some of the other boys were bullying Mark, and he displayed suicidal ideation. Mark has been seeing a counselor for the past year and the bullies were punished; however, Janice has a gut feeling that the bullying continues “under the radar” of school officials. Mark’s English teacher recently stopped by to show Janice one of Mark’s tests. Mark did not answer a single question, but instead, drew pictures of guns all over the test.

Discussion Questions

1. What should Janice do?

2. What questions should she ask?

3. What process should she follow?

4. Are there any special considerations since they are in a school setting?