THOMPSON FALLS, Mont. -- Spring Creek Lodge Academy (SCLA) a specialty boarding school in north-west Montana announced Friday that a student had committed suicide by hanging. In spite of the efforts of SCLA staff, medical personnel, and emergency crews who worked to revive her, the girl was pronounced dead at a Missoula, MT hospital the Thursday evening, October 7.In honor of the family's wishes, the student's name will not be released.
"We're all in a state of shock," said Chaffin Pullan, assistant director of operations at the school. "We're devastated. Most of all, we're deeply saddened for the family."
SCLA was acutely aware of the girl's fragility and had placed her on "high risk" observation. After showing signs of improvement, the 16-year-old student was recently removed from high risk after consultation with the student's counselor, the assistant clinical director and four staff members who had worked closely with her.
In describing the school's response, Pullan said SCLA will conduct a detailed investigation into the girl's death, and will review its policies and procedures in order to prevent such a tragedy happening at the school again. In addition, SCLA therapists, counselors, and staff will work closely with students in the coming days to facilitate the grieving process.
Pullan acknowledged the professional and compassionate work of those who responded to SCLA's call for assistance. "Law enforcement, first responders, the ambulance crew, the Life Flight crew, the doctors -- for me, it was just another way that the people here show their support for what we do, and their concern for kids. We can't even describe how much we appreciate that," said Pullan.
For further information, please contact: In Montana, Jacqueline Rutze, +1-406-827-4344, or Outside Montana, James Wall of Freeman Wall Aiello Public Relations, +1-303-232-3870, for Spring Creek Lodge Academy.
Source: Spring Creek Lodge Academy
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