The purpose  of these  guidelines  is to  provide clear  policies and procedures  in the event  of suicidal behavior being presented by any student in kindergarten through grade 12. These guidelines have  been  developed  to  address  the  roles  of  school  and  community  service  agency  personnel  in providing  counseling  crisis-intervention  services.  The  procedures  are  designed  to  ensure  that  the District has done its best as an educational institution to prevent suicide, to obtain appropriate services for youth at risk of suicide, and to assist the school and community to deal effectively with suicide or suicidal behaviors.

General Provisions

Confidentiality: In the case of the threatening  situations, students and staff members involved must understand that confidential information will only be released to parties designated by the Superintendent of Schools to assist individuals in suicide prevention. All reports on individual cases shall be kept m a confidential file by the Building Principal.

Staff members under no circumstances shall release information regarding an alleged student's suicidal behavior, or actual suicides, to the media. The Superintendent of Schools or a designee is the sole person who shall communicate with the media with respect to such matters.

The Building Principal or a designee shall keep the Superintendent informed on an ongoing basis about procedures following suicidal behavior.

Definition of Terms

Suicide Ideation:  Thoughts of killing oneself in however vague terms, i.e., "I don't want to go on any more," "They would be better offwithout  me," "If he breaks up with me, I'll kill myself."

Suicide Gesture:   Any self-destructive  behavior  that does not threaten a youth's immediate  safety. Since gestures over time can escalate into attempts, it is vital that all such gestures be taken seriously.

Suicide Attempt:  Any self-destructive behavior that threatens the youth's immediate safety. Suicide Behavior:  Includes suicide ideation, gesture, incident, or attempt.

Stabilization:  Refers to the support necessary to ensure the immediate safety of the youth.

Emergency Services:   Will include, but will not be limited to, those provided by the school medical staff, school psychologist, social worker, guidance counselor, and community resources such as local emergency rooms.

 Assessment Procedure

Any youth suspected by a member of the staff to be presenting a possible suicidal behavior will be referred to the Principal or a designee. Referrals may be made verbally or via the Suicide Incident Report (see attached).

The Principal will refer such youth to the school psychologist, nurse, guidance counselor or another appropriate designee. If  intervention is  deemed necessary, the  parent/guardian shall  be informed and provided with help and support in taking appropriate actions to prevent suicidal behaviors.

Intervention  Services

After an assessment is complete, the following procedures will apply:

1)     In the case of suicide ideation and gestures. but not attempt:

Appropriate counseling services, utilizing community based referrals, as needed, will be put in place after informing the parent/guardian and enlisting his/her cooperation.

2)      In case of a suicide attempt:

The immediate needs of the suicidal youth shall be addressed by mobilizing emergency services. These emergency services may include: emergency medical treatment, on-site crisis-intervention, and/or emergency psychiatric services. Parents/guardians will  be notified immediately.

If, in the opinion of the Assessment Team, the suicide attempt is related to abuse or neglect and the student is under eighteen (18) years of age, the team will alert the Principal, who shall act in accordance with 7530R, Child Abuse and Neglect/Maltreatment.

Itshall be the responsibility of the Principal or designee to arrange for follow-up services such as reintegration of the youth at school and support services for the staff and student body.

Upon return to the school, the student shall be accompanied by a parent/guardian and shall report to the Principal. The Principal shall determine the appropriate educational program for the student. School personnel may act as consultants, providing expertise, assistance and guidance to address the long-term needs of the youth.