Suicide prevention and suicide prevention training have gained more attention in recent years, but youth suicide rates continue to rise. Youths are feeling hopeless and more are making plans to take their lives. An advisory on a teen mental health crisis was issued by the Surgeon General in 2021. More policies and laws have called for schools to have a more active role in positive student mental well-being. They are in a position to see those who are struggling and take steps to help them.
Preventing teen suicide in schools
There are a lot of different programs and resources schools can take advantage of to build suicide prevention efforts. The SPTS has such resources and offers support to many schools. The idea is to have prevention policies and training in place before they are needed. Here are some steps schools can take to have a systemwide school approach to preventing suicide.
- Have written protocols in place if a suicide happens: When suicides happen there is a risk to other youths at the school and in the community. There should also be support for the family and friends of the deceased person.
- Have written protocols in place for students identified as being at risk: This can include interventions, what the warning signs are, training for all staff, screening tools, what kind of follow-up is needed and such.
- Key school-involved adults need to be engaged: This includes administrators, key visitors, teachers, parents and so on. These people need to be involved in the planning, the policy-making, the suicide prevention training, and so on.
- Form stronger connections with the community: This includes community advocates, mental health providers, and those with access to local resources and who support school protocols with the implementation of strategies for prevention.
- Promote factors that protect students: Activities and efforts for healthy mental well-being, strengthening relationships between adults and peers, the development of life skills and so on.
Who is more at risk?
Some of the teens to watch because they are more at risk include;
● Having a gun at home
● Having a history of family violence including verbal, physical and sexual abuse
● Having suicide in the family
● Having several mental health concerns
● Being more impulsive
● Substance abuse with them or their family
● Recent loss
● Having made a suicide attempt before
● Being LGBTQIA2S
Some warning signs
Things to look for include;
● Not looking after physical appearance or showering
● Not sleeping and eating or oversleeping and eating
● No longer being interested in their usual things
● Becoming withdrawn from family and peers
● Drinking and substance abuse
● Running away and acting out
● Having an over-interest in death
● Being bored
● Not responding to praise or compliments
● Lack of focus
● Not being involved in school
● Some physical complaints like headaches and stomachaches
● Taking unnecessary risks
● Making plans to commit suicide
● Commenting on not being around for much longer
● Giving away possessions
Conclusion
Having an approach that is systemwide at school ensures everyone at the school and connected to it, understands that they have a role to play. They know what to look for and what to do if they see something.