Best Practices
Address rumors and misinformation: Rumors and misinformation can spread quickly following a suicide, which can be harmful to students and the school community. It is important to address rumors and misinformation in a timely and transparent manner, while still respecting the privacy and confidentiality of the student and their family.
Provide information about suicide prevention and resources: Suicide prevention information and resources should be provided to students and staff. This can include information about warning signs, risk factors, and available resources for help and support.
Be mindful of trigger warnings: Discussions and activities related to suicide can be triggering for some students. It is important to provide trigger warnings and to allow students to opt out of activities if they feel uncomfortable.
Train staff on suicide prevention and response: School staff should be trained on suicide prevention and response. This includes identifying warning signs, providing immediate support to students who may be struggling, and referring students to mental health professionals.
Foster a culture of openness and support: Suicide prevention and mental health should be an ongoing conversation in the school community. Foster a culture of openness and support, where students and staff feel comfortable seeking help and support when they need it.
Best Practices:
Comprehensive policy in place to support the grieving community and promote mental health awareness. While each school's policy may differ based on its unique needs and context, the following steps outline a general approach:
Crisis Response Team: Establish a crisis response team that includes school administrators, counselors, psychologists, and other relevant personnel. This team will coordinate and implement the school's response to the suicide.
Notification: Inform staff, students, and parents about the incident in a sensitive and appropriate manner. Provide factual information while maintaining confidentiality and respecting the family's privacy.
Support Services: Offer counseling and support services to students, staff, and parents who may be affected by the tragedy. This can include individual or group counseling, as well as referrals to outside mental health professionals, if needed.
Memorial and Commemoration: Work with the deceased student's family to determine an appropriate way to commemorate the student's life, while avoiding actions that might romanticize or glamorize the suicide.
Monitoring: Keep an eye on students and staff who may be at risk for suicide or other mental health issues, especially those who were close to the deceased student. Provide additional support and resources as needed.
Education and Awareness: Implement mental health awareness programs to educate students, staff, and parents about the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide risk, as well as available resources for support.
Postvention: Develop a postvention plan to support the school community in the aftermath of a suicide. This plan should include a review of the school's existing mental health policies and procedures, identification of gaps, and recommendations for improvement. ·
Best Practices
Media Communication: Designate a spokesperson to handle media inquiries and communicate with the public. Develop guidelines for the spokesperson to ensure that the information shared is accurate, sensitive, and respectful of the family's privacy. Avoid sharing explicit details about the suicide, as it may increase the risk of contagion.
Staff Training: Provide ongoing professional development and training for staff on recognizing and responding to signs of mental health issues, suicide risk, and grief. Encourage staff to seek support for their own mental health as needed.
Collaborate with Community Resources: Partner with local mental health organizations, nonprofits, and community groups to provide additional support, resources, and expertise to the school community.
Review and Update Policies: Regularly review and update the school's suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention policies and procedures to ensure they are effective and based on best practices.
Encourage Open Dialogue: Promote a school culture that encourages open dialogue about mental health, well-being, and help-seeking behaviors. Foster an environment where students feel comfortable discussing their feelings and seeking support when needed.
Ongoing Support: Recognize that the grieving process may take time for some individuals and that additional support may be needed weeks or months after the incident. Continue to monitor the well-being of the school community and provide necessary resources and support.
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