5350 - STUDENT SUICIDE PREVENTION

The Board recognizes that depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions are severe problems among children and adolescents. A student who lives with a mental illness may not be able to benefit fully from the educational program of the schools, and a student who has engaged in or attempted self-harm poses a danger both to himself/herself and to other students.

All school personnel should be alert and report to an administrator or school psychologist, school counselor, or school nurse regarding any student who exhibits symptoms or warning signs of depression or who threatens or attempts suicide. Any such signs or the report of such signs from another student or staff member should be taken with the utmost seriousness.

The Superintendent shall develop and implement guidelines whereby members of the professional staff understand how to use an intervention procedure which includes the following:

Step 1 - Stabilization

Step 2 - Informal Assessment of the Risk

Step 3 - Use of Appropriate Risk Procedure, including Communication with Appropriate Parties

Step 4 - Follow-up

Throughout any intervention, it is essential that Board policies and District guidelines regarding confidentiality be observed at all times.

The law provides that any officer, employee, or volunteer of this Board who, in good faith, attempts to prevent suicide by a student is immune from civil liability for his/her acts or omissions in respect to the suicide or attempted suicide.

Using the Department of Public Instruction notice, the Superintendent shall annually inform the professional staff of the resources available from the Department and other resources regarding suicide prevention. The Superintendent shall also implement procedures to obtain payment or reimbursement for professional mental health services provided by any licensed treatment professional.

T.C. 4/5/22

© Neola 2022