5151.5 - Suicide Prevention and Intervention

The Newtown Board of Education recognizes the need for a comprehensive suicide prevention and intervention policy because suicide is a leading cause of death among young people. It is the policy of the Board that school staff will actively respond to any situation where a student verbally or through behavior indicates an intention to attempt suicide or to do physical harm to themselves.

The Board recognizes the need for youth suicide prevention procedures and will establish such procedures and educational programs to identify risk factors for youth suicide, to intervene with such youth, to guide staff in making appropriate referrals to outside agencies/resources, and to ensure proper training for teachers, other school professionals, and students in the recognition and management of youth at risk for suicide.

It is also recognized by the Board that suicide is a complex issue and that while school staff members gather information to determine the seriousness of the threat, they will not make a clinical assessment of risk nor will they provide in-depth counseling. Staff is required, therefore, to refer at-risk youths to an appropriate agency/resources for such assessment and counseling.

Therefore, any school employee who may have knowledge of a suicide threat or intention will report this information to school administration or pupil personnel staff, who will, in turn, notify and consult with appropriate staff. If deemed high risk, the student will not be left alone at any time during this evaluation process. The student’s parent/guardian will be notified, and an appropriate referral will be made.

Legal Reference:        Connecticut General Statutes

                                  10-221 € Boards of education to prescribe rules.
Policy Approved: May 19, 2020                                                       
Newtown Public Schools

Students

Youth Suicide Prevention Strategies

1. Promoting a safe and healthy school climate and supporting social and emotional learning in grades K-12.
2. Providing students with a health and developmental guidance curriculum that includes suicide awareness and mental health promotion.

• For example, the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program is provided for students in 7th, 9th and 11th-grade health classes. Students learn about suicide risk factors and learning to act on behalf of their peers. Students also complete a screening form, and Pupil Personnel Services staff follow up with any students who indicate possible risks for depression or suicide.

  3. Providing effective training to all teachers, staff, and administrators to recognize warning signs of suicide and make appropriate referrals.

• Each school year, district administrators will evaluate training needs for teachers and staff on risk factors, protective factors, warning signs, referral procedures, and resources. Professional development will be planned as necessary. For example, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training or QPR refresher training may be provided.

  4. Assigning roles and responsibilities and procedures for interventions for students who may be at risk for suicide.

  5. Collaborating with parents and community partners to engage and support children and youth.

  6. Reviewing relevant data and improving programs and procedures.

Role of Administrators:

In conjunction with the Director of Pupil Personnel, building administrators will:

1. Provide yearly, in-service training program or refresher program for teachers, administrators, and pupil personnel
2. Regularly review and share the Suicide Prevention Manual and ensure all appropriate staff understand roles and responsibilities and procedures.
3. Create, lead, and meet as needed with the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).
4. During a crisis, lead the CIT, contact parents, inform faculty, oversee school response, delegate responsibilities of the CIT, etc.
5. Advocate for a wide range of activities and programs that support student connection in the school.
6. Ensure a safe and healthy school climate.
7. Seek out, create, and value opportunities for students to be involved in decision-making.
8. Support curriculum that incorporates mental health promotion and direct and indirect education that prevents suicide.
9. Ongoing review of program-related data.

Student Referrals and Assessment of Risk Level

There are many warning signs for suicide (see Appendix 2). If any staff member observes any of these signs in a student or receives a report of these signs in a student from a peer, the student will be referred to the school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor. If a staff member observes these or receives a report after school hours, then the staff will contact the appropriate persons, to include but not limited to: school staff administration, community agencies, local police.
Following a referral by a staff member, parent/guardian, or peer, the student will be interviewed by the school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor to assess risk level taking into consideration staff’s professional judgement, relationship with student and student’s history. Further appropriate staff and the parent/guardian will be notified in a timely manner.
Focused interventions, described in the subsequent procedures section, are based on the following guidelines of assessed risk.

Policy Approved: May 19, 2020                                                       
Newtown Public Schools

*CLICK PDF TO VIEW FORMS AND CHARTS