2145 - Suicide Prevention

The District recognizes that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth and that suicidal indicators such as substance abuse and violence are complex issues to be taken seriously. While District staff may recognize potentially suicidal youth and the District may recognize possible at risk indicators, the District cannot provide in-depth mental health counseling.

District staff who have knowledge of an imminent suicide threat are encouraged to use the guidance of Suicide Threat or Attempt Flowchart (2145F1) and to support the student in the immediate time frame and to report this information to the building principal or designee who will, in turn, notify the appropriate school officials, and when applicable, the student’s family and appropriate resource services.

The District also recognizes the need for youth suicide education procedures. The District will adopt and, at the beginning of each school year, provide to all District staff, including substitute and regular bus drivers, a plan for recognizing, screening, referring and responding to students in emotional or behavioral distress. At a minimum, the plan will:

• Identify training opportunities for staff on recognizing, screening and referral of students in emotional or behavioral distress, including those who exhibit indicators of substance abuse, violence or suicide;

• Describe how to utilize the expertise of District staff trained in recognition, screening and referral;
• Provide guidelines, based on staff expertise and conditions, for responding to suspicions, concerns or warning signs of emotional or behavioral distress;
• Address development of partnerships with community organizations and agencies for referral of students to support services, to include development of at least one memorandum of understanding between the District and one such entity;
• Contain procedures for communication with parents;
• Describe how staff should respond to a crisis situation where a student is in imminent danger to himself or herself and others;
• Describe how the District will provide support to students and staff after an incident of violence or student suicide.

The superintendent will develop and implement the plan and a staff training schedule to achieve the Board’s goals and objectives.