Boise, Idaho – The Boise School District is grappling with a series of student and teacher deaths, prompting district leaders to encourage the community to prioritize mental health. The district, which has about 23,000 students, has been shaken by multiple recent deaths, classified as accidents and suicides, and is now urging students, families, and staff to seek support for mental health issues.
In a letter to parents and staff, Boise School Board President Dave Wagers and Superintendent Coby Dennis highlighted the district’s ongoing struggle with mental health and emphasized the need for the community to address these challenges together. The district has not disclosed specific details about the recent deaths, out of respect for privacy, but the impact on the community has been profound.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Wagers and Dennis pointed to the availability of highly-trained professional counselors, social workers, and child psychologists within the school system, as well as external mental health partners, such as BPA Health, which offers no-cost counseling to Boise School District patrons. Additionally, a crisis response team is deployed after tragedies to provide support to students and staff.
The letter also emphasized the district’s efforts to strengthen its curriculum to deepen students’ understanding of mental health, an area where Idaho has historically struggled. The call for action comes as statistics reveal a high rate of depression and suicidal thoughts among junior high and high school students in the district.
The recent deaths include that of a teacher, Fairmont Junior High social studies teacher Lucas Fitzpatrick, along with several students. The impact has reverberated across the school community, prompting school leaders to underscore the importance of unity in navigating grief and loss.
In response to this crisis, school leaders are urging parents, guardians, and the broader community to engage in initiatives like Communities for Youth, a partnership focused on promoting child wellbeing. The aim is to create a network of support to address mental health challenges collectively.
The district’s call for enhanced mental health support reflects a growing recognition of the need to prioritize mental wellbeing, especially among young people, and underscores the importance of a unified, community-wide approach to addressing mental health challenges.