Policy 2145 - Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

The board directs the superintendent to establish procedures, school handbooks, and staff training to: (a) identify youth who may be at risk for suicide and self-harm, (b) how to intervene with identified youth and provide referral services, (c) procedures to follow-up with student(s) and/or families related to self-harm, suicidal ideation, attempt or completed suicide, and (e) offer training for teachers, school staff and students to provide proper assistance. The procedures, handbook, and staff training should be reviewed annually. 

The board recognizes that the district cannot provide long-term mental health counseling and/or treatment at this time. However, they acknowledge the district’s responsibility in helping to connect students to treatment and to helping student navigate their academic responsibilities when they are not feeling emotionally well. 

School staff who have knowledge that a student is at risk of suicide will take the proper steps to support the student and report this information to a member of the building intervention team. This person will notify the appropriate school officials, the student’s family, and provide appropriate resource services. 

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