Suicide Awareness & Prevention Policy 3423
Students
SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
The board recognizes the increasing rate of self-destructive behavior and how physical and mental well-being relates to academic achievement. A student who experiences depression does not benefit fully from the educational program of the school. Moreover, a student who threatens or attempts suicide poses a danger both to self and possibly to others.
Because the entire staff, as well as the students, can benefit from and contribute toward the prevention of adolescent suicide, the board directs the superintendent to develop and implement a comprehensive suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention program. The program that is developed should help the school staff, parents, and students to:
- understand the developmental stages of adolescence and the causes of suicide;
- recognize the early warning signs of suicide;
- learn how to help in a suicidal crisis;
- identify community resources and procedures that can help a suicidal person; and
- establish procedures for dealing with a death in the schools.
In incidents of potential self-destructive behavior, the student's parent(s) or guardian shall be notified. Depending on the student's particular level of self-destructiveness and age, the student may need to be assessed by a member of the local mental health center who specializes in suicide. In all instances, parental/guardian cooperation will be sought by appropriate school personnel.
Initially Adopted: October 10, 1988
Adopted: February 22, 2010