STUDENT SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION PROCEDURES

STUDENT SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION PROCEDURES

ap5350Adopted September 1, 2010Revised February 1, 2023

5350 - STUDENT SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION PROCEDURES

In compliance with Policy 5350 - Student Suicide Awareness and Prevention any time a staff member encounters a situation in which a student appears to be contemplating suicide, the following process should be followed carefully. Refer to the Brevard Public School Suicide Risk Inquiry (SRI) Procedures at https://www.brevardschools.org/Domain/8308.

Step 1 – Stabilization.

  1. Under no circumstances is a suicidal student to be left alone.
  2. If the student will agree, accompany him or her 1) to a prearranged, non-threatening place away from others; and 2) where there is another adult and telephone close by; or 3) escort the student to Certified School Counselor (CSC) or School-based Social Worker (SW). 
  3. If the student will not agree, call for immediate assistance.

Step 2 - Assessment of the Risk.

  1. The Certified School Counselor (CSC) or School-based Social Worker (SW) will conduct the risk assessment procedures to determine the level of risk of self-harm. 
  2. The Mobile Response Team (MRT), when assessing students in school, school transportation, or school-sponsored events, will use the same State approved suicide risk assessment as Brevard Public Schools. 
  3. If the student is at HIGH RISK of self-harm, use HIGH RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE, see Step 3A, below.
  4. If the student is at MODERATE RISK of self-harm, use MODERATE RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE, see Step 3B, below.
  5. If the student is AT-RISK of self-harm, use AT-RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE, see Step 3C, below.
  6. If the student is at NO or LOW RISK of self-harm, use NO or LOW RISK PROCEDURE, see Step 3D, below.

Step 3 - Use of Appropriate Risk Procedure.

  1. HIGH RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE.
     
    1. The Certified School Counselor (CSC) or School-based Social Worker (SW) will consult with School Psychologist, School-based and/or District Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and/or the Mobile Response Team (MRT).
    2. The CSC or SW will notify school administrator or designee.
    3. The CSC or SW will notify the School Resource Officer (SRO) or local law enforcement agency immediately if the situation indicates the need for an involuntary evaluation. 
    4. The school official knowledgeable about the situation (CSC, SW, or school administrator) will:
       
      1. contact the parent/legal guardians to inform of actions taken because of the Suicide Risk Inquiry (SRI);
      2. complete a Mental Health Referral within 48 hours and send to studentservicesintake@brevardschools.org; 
      3. follow up with the re-entry planning meeting for when the student returns to school; and
      4. The administrator will notify the Office of Elementary Programs or Secondary Leading and Learning and complete an Incident Report with the District Security.
  2. MODERATE RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE.
     
    1. The Certified School Counselor (CSC) or School-based Social Worker (SW) will contact the parent/legal guardians to advise that an assessment was conducted and discuss the available mental health services and supports;  
    2. The CSC or SW will follow up with the student; 
    3. The CSC or SW will complete a Mental Health Referral within forty-eight (48) hours and send to studentservicesintake@brevardschools.org; and
    4. The CSC or SW will follow up with the re-entry planning meeting for when the student returns to school.
  3. AT-RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE.
     
    1. If after initial screening student is found to be AT-RISK OF SELF-HARM, CSC or SW will complete the SAFE-T w/C-SSRS Instrument to determine the severity of the risk (HIGH RISK or MODERATE RISK). 
    2. If the student is at HIGH RISK of self-harm, use HIGH RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE, see Step 3A, above.
    3. If the student is at MODERATE RISK of self-harm, use MODERATE RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE, see Step 3B, above.
  4. NO or LOW RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE.
     
    1. The Certified School Counselor (CSC) or School-based Social Worker (SW) will contact the parent/legal guardians to advise that an assessment was conducted and discus the available mental health services and supports;  
    2. The CSC or SW will follow up with the student, and
    3. The CSC or SW will complete a Mental Health Referral and send to studentservicesintake@brevardschools.org.

Step 4 - Communication with Appropriate Parties.

  1. If a student is at HIGH RISK OF SELF-HARM, CSC or SW will notify the SRO or local law enforcement agency immediately if the situation indicates the need for an involuntary commitment, see Step 3A, above. 
  2. CSC or SW or school administrator will contact the parent/legal guardians, see Step 3, above.
  3. If a student is at HIGH RISK OF SELF-HARM, the administrator will notify the Office of Elementary Programs or Secondary Leading and Learning and complete an Incident Report with District Security, see Step 3A, above.

Step 5 - Follow-up.

  1. If a student is at HIGH RISK OF SELF-HARM, CSC or SW will follow up with the re-entry planning meeting for when the student returns to school and complete a Mental Health Referral and send to studentservicesintake@brevardschools.org, see Step 3A, above.   
  2. If a student is at MODERATE RISK OF SELF-HARM, CSC or SW will follow up with the re-entry planning meeting for when the student returns to school and complete a Mental Health Referral and send to studentservicesintake@brevardschools.org, see Step 3B, above. 
  3. If a student is at NO or LOW RISK OF SELF-HARM PROCEDURE, CSC or SW will follow up with the student and complete a Mental Health Referral and send to studentservicesintake@brevardschools.org, see Step 3D, above. 

Revised 6/9/11
Revised 3/5/20
Revised 2/1/23

© Brevard County Public Schools 2023