The concept of SafeTeam was developed after a cluster of three suicides in Jenks, a Tulsa in 1997. Mental Health Association in Tulsa alongside several other mental health organizations in the area immediately responded to these suicides by creating a local suicide task force to prevent and minimize the amount of future suicides. Columbia TeenScreen, a free and voluntary screening tool that assesses youth's physical and emotional well-being with parental permission, was then introduced to local schools to address possible mental health issues with the students. Also, the suicide task force invited focus groups of students to discuss the issues they felt within their schools and community. Out of this, the students were outspoken and discussed ways to keep their schools and friends safe, as well as protect them.
Critical event in the past (i.e. the school shootings in Columbine, CO; Paducah, KY; Fort Gibson, OK) have made us realize that in most cases the accusers friends knew the accusers themselves were in trouble, however they were not sure how to get this information to the correct person. Along with the cluster of suicides, these tragedies sparked the interest of establishing a mental health program in area schools. Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma approached the Mental Health Association in Tulsa on how to establish a safer environment in their school and community, possibly through training the whole school on mental health issues. Instead of training the school, the students voiced concerns that they wanted to be heard and wanted to be involved in the school's safety plan. SafeTeam, which incorporates the students, staff and faculty, and parents of the school, was then born in an attempt to create a "culture of safety" within the school.
During the 1998-1999 school year, along with Booker T. Washington High School, Bixby High School both piloted SafeTeam. In order for these schools to begin a SafeTeam, the following components were necessary: a SafeTeam Coordinator, a Faculty SafeTeam, a Student SafeTeam, and a Clinical Consultant. Together these groups gather the necessary information regarding problematic behavior and decide which means of intervention are most prudent and appropriate. In the event of a crisis, these individuals automatically become the crisis team. The student component is seen as meeting an especially urgent need for skills in peer facilitation and conflict resolution, as well as providing opportunities for building a sense of community to foster acceptance, in order to reach out to those who are marginalized. Since the pilot a community SafeTeam has been added to ensure student safety inside and outside of the school building.
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