Why Schools?

Schools are a critical element of suicide prevention. Teachers, mental health professionals, and all personnel who interface with students can help reduce youth suicide risk and suicide death. Schools can help identify students at risk and create reliable response channels when a suicide risk is identified or a suicide death occurs.

“Schools must play a critical role in the identification and referral of students with social, emotional, and behavioral health problems. This identification and referral are critical to ensure that students are then connected with the appropriate supports both in the school and in the home… The goal of interconnection between separate systems within the mental health arena can only be successfully achieved through the integration of schools and their active participation concerning the mental health and wellness of their students” (Office of the Child Advocate, 2014, p92)

Visit our Gaining District Buy-In page.

What Schools Can Do?

It is essential schools should have comprehensive suicide prevention policies in place. They also should require annual training for all staff, and offer mental health presentations to parents and students. They can even form suicide prevention task forces to be on the lookout for students at risk. Finally, schools can post suicide warning signs with national crisis hotline numbers and information about who students can contact if they or someone they know might be suicidal.