5141.5

Students

Youth Suicide Prevention and Attempts

In view of the increasing incidence of suicide and suicide attempts among young people, the New Hartford Board of Education will take a pro active posture in the prevention of youth suicide. The Board recognizes however, that suicide is a complex issue and that while school personnel may recognize potentially suicidal youth, they may not make a clinical assessment of risk or provide in-depth counseling, but must refer the youth to an appropriate place for such assessment and counseling.

Any school employee who may have knowledge of a suicide threat or suicide attempt must report this information to the building Principal or his/her designee who will, in turn, notify the Superintendent, the student's family, and appropriate resource services.

The Board of Education recognizes the need for youth suicide prevention procedures and will establish student assistance 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.

Risk factors for youth suicide will be based on the statewide strategic suicide prevention plan developed by the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board, which includes, but is not limited to youth who are:

1.  bereaved by suicide,

2.  disabled or have chronic health conditions, such as mental health or substance use disorders,

3.  involved in the juvenile justice system,

4.  experiencing homelessness or placed in an out-of-home setting, such as foster care, or

5.  lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning.

To that end, the Board directs the Superintendent to implement an assessment recommended by the Connecticut State Department of Education for determining suicide risk. The assessment shall be used to determine the suicide risk of students who:

1.  exhibit mental health distress,

2.  have been identified as at risk of suicide, or

3.  are considered to be at an increased risk of suicide based on particular risk factors.

It is the policy of this Board that the New Hartford Schools:

1.  Utilize a K-6 health curriculum that includes suicide prevention lessons;

2.  Provide training for teachers, administrators, and ancillary personnel in order to increase their awareness of the risk factors and behaviors that may indicate suicidal thinking;

3.  Identify community resources that can be of assistance;

4.  Draw up intervention procedures for use in the event of a suicide or suicide attempt; and

5.  Have a post-intervention strategy in place.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

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

Policy adopted: June 4, 2024