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Policies
Board Policies·5000 Students

BP 5141.52Suicide Prevention

Policy Details

Status
Active
Cross references
  • BP 4131 Staff Development
Adopted
8/3/2020
Last reviewed
8/3/2020
Last revised
12/31/2019
Prior revised
7/13/2001

The School Board recognizes the importance of openly addressing adolescent suicide and that staff, students and parents/guardians be made aware of warning signs and procedures. 

The Board recognizes that all suicide threats must be taken seriously. The Superintendent or designee shall provide appropriate staff members with procedures for intervening in low-risk and in high-risk crisis situations. These procedures shall include guidelines by which staff members may assess the seriousness of a students risk for suicide.

While the District Staff may recognize potentially suicidal youth and may make an initial risk assessment, the District cannot provide in-depth mental health counseling. Designated District staff shall refer students who exhibit suicidal behaviors to an appropriate service for further assessment and counseling.

The Board believes that school staff, students and parents/guardians all can contribute significantly towards the prevention of adolescent suicide. The district shall make available suicide prevention training for each of these segments of the school community.

Parent/Guardian Awareness

The Board believes all parents/guardians should be aware of the severity of student suicide.  Parent/guardian information may be provided, to help parents/guardians recognize warning signs of suicide, and identify community resources that can help youth in crisis.

Staff Awareness & Training

The Board strongly encourages teachers to help students of all ages develop both a positive self-image and a realistic attitude towards potential accomplishments.

In order that district staff may learn suicide prevention strategies, to recognize the warning signs of suicidal crisis, to understand how to help suicidal students, and to identify helpful community resources, the Superintendent or designee shall arrange annual suicide awareness and prevention training as required by law. Additional certificated and classified staff may also be included. The district suicide prevention policy and procedures shall be thoroughly reviewed at this time. Staff shall be expected to learn to identify potentially suicidal students, to assess the degree of risk, to take preventive precautions and to report suicide threats to the appropriate authorities.

Curriculum

The Board finds it appropriate that suicide prevention instruction be incorporated into the curriculum. This instruction is intended to help students: 

  1. Understand how feelings of depression and despair can lead to suicide.
  2. Identify alternatives to suicide and develop new coping skills. 
  3. Recognize the warning signs of suicidal ideation in their friends.
  4. Learn to listen, be honest, share feelings and get help when communicating with friends who show signs of suicidal ideation.
  5. Identify community resources where students can get crisis intervention help.

Peer Resources

The Board endorses the use of peer leaders/mentors who can provide an effective support system for students who are uncomfortable communicating with adults. Peer leaders/mentors shall be expected to have completed the suicide prevention curriculum and demonstrated that they are able to identify the warning signs of suicidal behavior, make contact rapidly, and get suicidal students to adult help.

Legal Reference:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.30.362 Suicide awareness and prevention training