5350 - STUDENT SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION

The School Board recognizes that depression and self-destruction are increasingly severe problems among children and adolescents. Students who experience depression cannot fully benefit from the educational program of the School Corporation, and students who have attempted self-destruction pose a danger to themselves and to other students.

This policy is meant to increase awareness and prevention of child suicide and self-destruction. The Board believes that a partnership between families, the community, and the Corporation is necessary to support students with mental health needs effectively.

The Corporation shall have a written memorandum of understanding with a State-certified or State-licensed provider able to deliver appropriate mental or behavioral health services.

Information regarding suicide prevention services in the community can be found by contacting the school counselor in any school in the Corporation.

Further information regarding crisis intervention referral is available to students, parents, and Corporation employees by contacting school counselors.

The Corporation provides school counseling services for students and families related to suicide prevention.

The Corporation cooperates with the suicide prevention services in the community.

The Corporation recognizes the relationship between suicide and drug and alcohol use. The plan, training, and programs authorized under this policy will address awareness of this correlation.

The Corporation shall meet the training requirements for all employees in suicide awareness, prevention and response established by Indiana Law and any regulations issued by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) or the Indiana State Board of Education (ISBOE). Compliance with these statutes and regulations shall be reviewed annually. (I.C. 20-26-5-34.4)

Teacher licensing prerequisites include youth suicide awareness and prevention training. The ISBOE sets the timing/frequency/method for all licensure trainings. (I.C. 20-28-5.5-1)

The Superintendent shall ensure licensed staff meet training requirements and that suicide prevention training is part of required professional learning. Suicide prevention training shall include the warning signs and tendencies that may evidence that a child is considering suicide.

The Superintendent shall require teachers, counselors, and other licensed personnel to provide proof of suicide prevention training when applying for or renewing a license under I.C. 20-28-5. The Superintendent shall ensure that all licensed staff have uploaded completion certificates into IDOE's Licensing Verification and Information System for license renewal purposes.

The Superintendent shall ensure the training vendor/curriculum is approved by the ISBOE.

If an online platform is established or licensed under I.C. 20-19-3-29, then suicide-prevention training shall be delivered via that online platform.

Consistent with Indiana law, the Superintendent shall develop a plan that describes the protocol teachers are to follow in preventing suicide, actions to be taken should a suicide occur, how best to assist survivors of attempted suicide and how to assist students and Corporation employees in coping with a suicide or attempted suicide.

The plan shall include postvention strategies to support healing and prevent additional crises, including:

1. Assemble and activate a Crisis Response Team to manage the response, including mental health professionals and administrators.
2. Provide accurate information to staff, students, and parents, avoiding details that could lead to suicide contagion.
3. Offer grief counseling and support groups for students and staff affected by the loss.
4. Develop guidelines for memorials that honor the deceased without glorifying the act to prevent potential imitation.
5. Monitor and support high-risk students over time, recognizing that grief and trauma responses can be delayed.
6. Any other appropriate programs or activities designed to enhance awareness and prevention.

The parent of a student in the Corporation shall be allowed to review any materials used in any suicide prevention program.

Throughout any intervention, Board policies and Corporation confidentiality guidelines must be observed always.

The Superintendent shall communicate the repeal of I.C. 20-28-3-6 and the amendment of I.C. 20-26-5-34.4 to Principals and Human Resources so they know that while the legal citation has changed, the duty remains.

All provisions in this policy must be consistent with the Corporation's school safety plan. (See policy 8400 – School Safety Information) (I.C. 10-21-1-10; 511 IAC 6.1-2-2.5)

Revised 12/12/17
Revised 12/11/18
Revised 6/11/24

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