To report an incident or student concern, please click this link: Van Buren Elementary School: Student Concern Form. You will be directed to complete a form which will be forwarded to that school's administrative staff.

PLEASE NOTE: As with any emergency, please call 911 right away. The Student Concern forms, while monitored by school administrators, do not go to law enforcement agencies and may not be read immediately upon receipt.

Click here for the Van Buren Student Concern form.

Plainfield Schools conducted a survey of students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members. One key takeaway? Well over half of students of all ages reported feeling sad every day.

While we realize that feeling sad does not usually lead to self-harm or suicide, it is cause for concern. There has been increased focus in recent years on the increase of suicide in the United States, and Indiana is not immune.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017), suicide is the second leading cause of death throughout the United States for three age groups:

  • 10-14

  • 15-24

  • 25-34

• The Indiana Department of Education shared this report in 2018:

  • Indiana has the 3rd highest rate (1 in 5) of high school students in the nation who have contemplated suicide.

  • Indiana tied for the 10th highest percentage (1 in 9) of high school students attempting suicide.

    • Males are 4 times more likely to die by suicide than females.

    • Females are 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than males.

    • Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14.

    • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24.

  • The statistics are alarming, and death by suicide is one of Indiana’s most concerning health issues. However, there is help and hope when parents, schools, and communities join forces to address suicide as a preventable public health problem.

• A study by the United Health Foundation tracked suicide among age groups in 2018 and 2019. The national rates, per 100,000 people, were 13.1 in 2018 and 14.4 in 2019. In Indiana, those rates grew from 15.7 to 16.7 per 100,000 Hoosiers between 15 and 24.