PREVENTING SUICIDE A Toolkit for High Schools · U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services www.samhsa.gov PREVENTING SUICIDE: A Toolkit for High Schools U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This toolkit was prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) in collaboration with Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), and NASMHPD Research Institute, under contract number HHSS283200700020I/HHSS2800003T, with SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Rosalyn Blogier, LCSW-C and Dr. Tarsha Wilson, Government Project Officers. Disclaimer The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of SAMHSA or HHS. The people depicted in this toolkit are models only. They are not included to illustrate the mental health issues addressed in this toolkit nor do the authors of this document have any reason to believe that they experienced any of the mental health issues addressed in this toolkit. Public Domain Notice All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from SAMHSA. Citation of the source is appreciated. However, this publication may not be reproduced or distributed for a fee without the specific, written authorization of the Office of Communications, SAMHSA, HHS. Electronic Access and Copies of Publication This publication may be downloaded or ordered at http://store.samhsa.gov/product/ SMA12-4669 or by calling SAMHSA at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727). The Toolkit is available in English. Recommended Citation Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools. HHS Publication No. SMA-12-4669. Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012. Originating Office Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857, HHS Publication No. SMA-12-4669. Printed 2012. 4 | PREVENTING SUICIDE: A HIGH SCHOOL TOOLKIT CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................7 Chapter 1: Getting Started .....................................................................15 Getting Started Tools ............................................................................23 Tool 1.A: Suicide Prevention: Facts for Schools ...................................24 Tool 1.B: Chart of School Staff Responsibilities ...................................28 Tool 1.C: Chart of Community Partners ................................................30 Tool 1.D: Risk and Protective Factors and Warning Signs Factsheets ..................................................................................32 Tool 1.E: Data on Youth Suicide ...........................................................43 Tool 1.F: Suicide and Substance Abuse Information Sheet..................45 Tool 1.G: Suicide and Bullying Information Sheet ................................47 Tool 1.H: The Implications of Culture on Suicide Prevention Information Sheet ...............................................................50 Tool 1.I: Checklist of Suicide Prevention Activities ..............................52 Tool 1.J: Matrix of School-Based Suicide Prevention Programs ..........54 Tool 1.K: Suicide Prevention Registries Information Sheet ..................56 Chapter 2: Protocols for Helping Students at Risk of Suicide ............57 Protocols for Helping Students at Risk of Suicide Tools ..................67 Tool 2.A: Questions for Mental Health Providers ..................................68 Tool 2.B: Protocol for Helping a Student at Risk of Suicide ..................69 Tool 2.B.1: Suicide Risk Assessment Resources .................................70 Tool 2.B.2: Self-Injury and Suicide Risk Information Sheet ..................71 Tool 2.B.3 Guidelines for Notifying Parents ..........................................72 Tool 2.B.4: Parent Contact Acknowledgement Form ............................74 Tool 2.B.5: Guidelines for Student Referrals ........................................75 Tool 2.B.6: Student Suicide Risk Documentation Form ........................76 Tool 2.C: Protocol for Responding to a Student Suicide Attempt .........79 Tool 2.D: Guidelines for Facilitating a Student’s Return to School .......80 Chapter 3: After a Suicide .......................................................................83 5 | PREVENTING SUICIDE: A HIGH SCHOOL TOOLKIT After a Suicide Tools ............................................................................92 Tool 3.A: Immediate Response Protocol ..............................................93 Tool 3.A.1: Sample Script for Office Staff .............................................96 Tool 3.A.2: Sources of Postvention Consultation .................................97 Tool 3.A.3: Guidelines for Working with the Family ..............................98 Tool 3.A.4: Guidelines for Notifying Staff ..............................................99 Tool 3.A.5: Sample Announcements...................................................100 Tool 3.A.6: Sample Letter to Families .................................................103 Tool 3.A.7: Talking Points for Students and Staff after a Suicide ........104 Tool 3.A.8: Guidelines for Memorialization .........................................105 Tool 3.A.9: Guidelines for Working with the Media .............................107 Tool 3.B: Long-Term Response Protocol ............................................108 Tool 3.B.1: Guidelines for Anniversaries of a Death ...........................109 Chapter 4: Staff Education and Training ............................................. 111 Staff Education and Training Tools ................................................... 119 Tool 4.A: Matrix of Staff Education and Training Programs ................120 Chapter 5: Parent/Guardian Education and Outreach .......................125 Parent/Guardian Education and Outreach Tools .............................133 Tool 5.A: Parent/Guardian Education and Outreach Programs ..........134 Tool 5.B: Suicide Prevention and Schools: Facts for Parents ............136 Chapter 6: Student Programs ...............................................................139 Student Programs Tools.....................................................................149 Tool 6.A: Types of Student Programs Information Sheet ....................150 Tool 6.B: Matrix of Student Programs .................................................152 Chapter 7: Screening ............................................................................157 Screening Tools ..................................................................................166 Tool 7.A: Matrix of Screening Programs .............................................167 Tool 7.B: Ideas for Maximizing Parental Response Rate ...................168 Resources ..............................................................................................173 Handouts ................................................................................................209 Contributors ...........................................................................................229 Introduction 7 | PREVENTING SUICIDE: A HIGH SCHOOL TOOLKIT INTRODUCTION Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools was funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help high schools, school districts, and their partners design and implement strategies to prevent suicide and promote behavioral health among their students. The information and tools in this toolkit will help schools and their partners: • Assess their ability to prevent suicide among students and respond to suicides that may occur • Understand strategies that can help students who are at risk for suicide • Understand how to respond to the suicide of a student or other member of the school community • Identify suicide prevention programs and activities that are effective for individual schools and respond to the needs and cultures of each school’s students • Integrate suicide prevention into activities that fulfill other aspects of the school’s mission, such as preventing the abuse of alcohol and other drugs Suicide prevention efforts in high schools are usually led by school counselors, mental health professionals, or social workers. But it is important to remember that no one—not the principal, not the counselor, and not the most passionate and involved parent—can establish effective suicide prevention strategies alone. The participation, support, and active involvement of others in the school and community are essential for success. Chapter 1 will help you: • Begin to identify the school staff and community partners who can help • Generate support for suicide prevention in the school system and community • Prioritize and select programs and activities that are right for your school Chapters 2–7 describe the steps necessary to implement the components of a comprehensive school-based suicide prevention program. Most chapters include tools to help you carry out these steps, including forms, worksheets,