SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESOURCES
(Jason Flatt Act)
Suicide statistics among teens are very alarming, and schools play a vital role in working to prevent suicide by providing students, teachers, and parents resources. Usually there is no single cause of suicide. Suicides, also, are not usually spontaneous. Rather, suicide is the result of a long-term, gradual process of decline in the person’s ability to cope with life experiences and the emotions surrounding their experiences. Teachers are a great resource to administrators in recognizing a student who may be experiencing problems that could lead to suicide. Teachers are encouraged to trust their instincts when dealing with their students because they see them five days a week for at least one hour, if not more. If there is a threat, we employ a protocol that may involve the following:
1. Taking the suicide threat seriously.
2. Advising the principal as soon as possible regarding the child’s dilemma
3. Calling the student’s parents
4. Remaining with the child until a parent/guardian arrives. If the parent does not come, calling DHR or the police.
5. Calming the child down with reassuring and helpful language.
6. Asking the child if they have a plan or intend to hurt themselves. Asking for details.
7. Calling a teen crisis line for support and/or advice during the crisis.
8. Referring the child’s name to the guidance counselor
9. Learning the facts about suicide
10. Following up on the suicide threat
11. Calling 911 if there is an injury of self-harm in progress
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