5141.5

Seymour Public Schools

Suicide Prevention and Intervention Policy

Policy Overview

Suicide Prevention and Intervention

The Seymour Board of Education recognizes that suicide is a leading cause of death among young people and is a concern to this school system and the community it serves.  It is the policy of the Board of Education to actively respond in any situation where a student verbally or behaviorally indicates suicidal ideation, intent to attempt suicide or to do physical harm to himself/herself.

The Board of Education recognizes the need for youth suicide prevention procedures and will establish program(s) to identify risk factors for youth suicide, procedures to intervene with such youth, referral services and training for teachers, other school professionals and students to provide assistance in these programs.

It is recognized by the Board that suicide is a complex mental health issue and that, while school staff members may identify potentially suicidal youth, they should not, as educators, make clinical assessment of risk nor provide in-depth counseling or treatment, but must refer the youth to an appropriate agency for such assessment and counseling.  If deemed necessary by the School Crisis Team, Principal or his/her designee, a clinical assessment (performed by a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed professional counselor or licensed clinical social worker) may be required.  Written documentation may be required and submitted to the Principal or designee stating that "the student is no longer at risk to harm himself/herself or others."

Therefore, any school employee who may have knowledge of suicidal ideation, intent to attempt suicide or to do physical harm to himself/herself, will report this information to the school Principal or his/her designee.  The Principal will, in turn, enact the procedures and interventions as described in this policy.  The student's family will be notified, and an appropriate referral will be made.  This policy is to be reviewed each year by every building Principal.

Legal Reference:   Connecticut General Statutes

10-221(e) Boards of Education to prescribe rules

Policy adopted:  August 21, 2006

Policy Revised:  May 6, 2013

5141.5

Students

Suicide Prevention/Intervention

Guidelines for Students at Risk

All school district personnel have a responsibility to share with the Principal (or designee) observations of student behavior which appear to be related to the possibility of suicide.

The Principal, in turn, has a responsibility to follow the guidelines attached to the Board policy and regulations on suicide. If circumstances of a particular situation indicate that actions other than those described would serve the best interests of a given student and the school system, the Principal or designee will consult with other appropriate personnel to make such a decision and shall make appropriate documentation of the circumstances and the resulting decision.

1.  Suggested General Procedures During School Hours

Any school staff member who has identified a student who exhibits the signs as noted in Appendix A or who have other reason to believe that the student is at risk for suicide must immediately bring the student's name to the attention of the Principal or his/her designee. This must be done even if the student has confided in the staff person and asked that their discussion be kept confidential. In such cases, the staff person would explain that he/she cannot keep confidentiality under these circumstances.

Appropriate staff member(s) shall gather background information prior to contacting the student, unless there appears to be imminent risk of self harm. This background check should be done on the same day as the referral and may include:

  Further discussion with the person who made the referral.

  Contact with other staff members to get data on recent student performance.

  At the earliest possible moment following the collection of information, contact with the student will be made to determine the seriousness of the situation.

  After student is seen, consultation with administrator and/or one other Pupil Services staff must take place to determine severity of the situation.

A.  Potential Situation

The student has expressed some intent to harm himself/herself and may have thought about how he/she would do it. He/she may have access to the method but does not have a well thought-out plan. The following action will be taken, the order to be determined by the specific situation:

(1)  A staff member will explain to the student that parent(s) will be contacted.

(2)  Following the meeting with the student the Principal or designee will:

a)  Contact the student's parent(s) to inform them of the seriousness of the situation.

b)  Provide resources for professional help to parents.

c.)  Obtain further information from the parent(s) concerning the student's mental health history including therapy and previous suicidal attempts or threats. If the student is currently being seen by a mental health professional, the principal or designee will ask for parental permission to speak with that professional.

d)  Strongly suggest to the parent the need for a suicidal risk evaluation.

(3)  At no time during this process will the student be left alone.

B.  Critical Situation

The student has the intent to kill himself/herself, a specific plan for how he/she will do it and immediate access to the method; in addition, he/she exhibits feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, helplessness and the inability to tolerate any more pain.

(1)  A staff member will stay with the student to offer support. In addition, he/she will explain to the student that someone will be contacting parent(s) because of deep concern.

(2)  A staff member will notify the parent(s) and request that they come to the school immediately. The following points should be covered in the meeting with the parents:

a)  The seriousness of the situation.

b)  The need for an immediate (and required) suicidal risk evaluation with written documentation clearing the student of any harm to himself/herself.

c)  The need for continued monitoring.

d)  A request for parent(s) to sign a release of information form for communication between the school and the facility to which the student will be taken and/or the student's therapist and other individuals as appropriate.

(3)  If the parent(s) cannot be contacted, normal school procedures will be followed for such emergencies.

(4)  If parents refuse to come to the school and the team determines that a medical emergency exists, normal procedures will be followed for such emergencies. The Principal or designee will explain to the parent that the school may be required to file a medical neglect report with the Department of Children and Families. In addition, the Principal will inform the parent(s) that the student will not be accepted back into school until a formal mental health evaluation has taken place.

(5)  As a follow-up, a staff member will contact the family to discuss the family's plans to provide professional help and support to the student. Permission for communication between school and therapist will be requested. A plan of action for in-school support of the student will be discussed at the next School Crisis Team meeting. The team will continue to monitor the student.

2.  Suggested General Procedures after School Hours

If any staff member has become aware of a potentially suicidal student after school hours, he/she should consider and decide upon the following actions:

  Contact the principal.

  Contact the parents.

  Contact the police.

  Contact student's therapist.

  Contact 24-hour crisis center.

Students Who Have Attempted Suicide

1.  In-School Attempt

A.  The staff person who becomes aware of the attempt will remain with the student and will immediately send for the nurse and Principal.

B.  The nurse and Principal will follow school medical emergency procedures to get immediate medical help for the student.

C.  The parents will be contacted.

D.  The Principal will refer to the Crisis Intervention Plan and Media guidelines to determine a course of action.

2.  Out-of-School Attempt

A.  The staff person who receives the information concerning an attempted suicide will immediately contact the school Principal who will verify the information and actions taken by the parents.

B.  The Principal will determine if the situation warrants informing the full faculty.

C.  If the attempted suicide is causing visible distress among students, staff may be asked to follow "Guidelines for Talking to Students about Suicide/Sudden Death."An after school meeting may be held to identify others at risk and discuss concerns.

D.  The Principal in conjunction with the School Crisis Team will develop a plan to monitor and support high risk students.

E.  A team member will be assigned to follow up and monitor the student upon his/her return to school.

F.  If appropriate, information will be shared with the Principal(s) of siblings' schools.

Legal Reference:   Connecticut General Statutes

10-221(e) Boards of education to prescribe rules.

Regulation Adopted:  August 21, 2006

Regulation Revised:  May 6, 2013