Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention

This chapter recognizes the suicide epidemic and the need for school staff and student training. Death by suicide among school age youth is a tragic event that can be prevented if caregivers and friends know the warning signs and how to respond. No plan for school and student safety is complete without addressing suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. There is a clear description of suicide risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs. There is a section devoted to suicide prevention and preparedness, including the role of school climate, culturally responsive prevention, reducing stigma, mental health literacy, risk assessment and safety planning, and evidence-based prevention programs and resources. Suicide prevention can be integrated with a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. A section on intervention with a distressed student contemplating suicide elaborates on risk assessment, specific strategies for dialogue, engaging with parents/guardians, and planning for safety upon re-entry from hospitalization. There is a section on suicide postvention, emphasizing care for survivors and prevention of contagion. The suicide postvention process and procedures are described.