Youth Suicide Prevention

Suicide has become a leading cause of death among young people and is a concern to the school system and the community it serves.  Since the Board’s philosophy strives to create an atmosphere in which students can experience desirable emotional and social growth, the district wishes to take a proactive stance in preventing the problem of youth suicide and youth suicide attempts.

The Meriden Public Schools recognizes its basic commitment and responsibility to provide programs and procedures conducive to the positive development of young people and to provide appropriate intervention and referral for those potentially suicidal youths who come to the attention of school personnel.  At the same time, the Meriden Public Schools recognizes that suicide is a complex issue; while the school may recognize potentially suicidal students, it cannot make clinical assessment of risk and provide in-depth counseling but must refer the young person to a community or family determined private agency for such assessment and counseling.

Any Board employee who has knowledge of a suicidal threat, attempt or ideation must immediately report this information to the building principal or his/her designee, who will, in turn, notify appropriate Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) staff, the designated Crisis Intervention Team m(CIT), and the Student Assistance Team (SAT).  The PPS staff, CIT members, and SAT members, with administrative assistance, if necessary, will contact the student's family and appropriate resources outside and within the school system.  Information concerning a student's suicide attempt, threat or risk will be shared with others to the degree necessary to protect that student and others.

Legal Reference:

Connecticut General Statutes, Section 17-38a

Public Act No. 89-168 (An Act Concerning Child Abuse and the Prevention of Youth

Suicide)

Approved:       June 19, 1990

Amended:        August 19, 2014

Previous Policy Number: ID2.8

POLICY NUMBER: 5220-R

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS

REGARDING

SUICIDE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

Management of Suicidal Risk                                              

            The school cannot be expected to thoroughly evaluate and eliminate suicidal risk.  Nevertheless, the Board is committed to respond in a supportive manner, both aggressively and immediately, to a student who has attempted, has threatened, or is seriously considering attempting suicide.  The following procedures shall be implemented toward this end.

I.          Any staff member who becomes aware of a student who may be at risk of suicide must immediately notify the building principal or his/her designee.  This must be done even if the student has confided in the staff person and asked that his/her communication be kept confidential.  The principal or designee will then notify an appropriate Pupil Personnel Service (PPS), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), and Student Assistance Team (SAT) staff member. The principal may have multiple designees.

II.        The Meriden Public Schools staff member shall interview the student, consider available background information and determine whether the student is "at-risk" or in "imminent danger."

III.       If the student is assessed to be "at-risk":

A.        The Meriden Public Schools staff member shall notify the student's parent/guardian and request a meeting with them as soon as possible, preferably that same day.

B.        When the parent/guardian arrives at school, the Meriden Public Schools staff member shall meet with him/her to discuss:

1.         the seriousness of the situation;

2.         the need for an immediate suicide risk evaluation at a medical or mental health facility, or other appropriate evaluation(s);

3.         the need for continued monitoring of the student at home if he/she is released following the evaluation;

4.         referral to appropriate professional services outside the school system; and

5.         a request for the parent/guardian to sign a release of information form permitting communication between the school and the facility to which the student will be taken, the student's therapist and other appropriate individuals.

C.        The Meriden Public Schools staff member shall document in writing the course of events, including what transpired at the meeting, and the outcome.

D.        If the parent/guardian does not follow through, thereby leaving the student "at-risk", a medical referral to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) should be made (if the student is less than 18 years of age).  The parent/guardian should be notified as soon as possible that such a referral has been made.

E.         The Meriden Public Schools staff member may notify other staff, as necessary to protect the student and others.

F.         The Meriden Public Schools staff member may refer the student to the school's Child Study Team, Mental Health Team, Crisis Intervention Team, Student Assistance Team, Planning Placement Team or other staff as appropriate for further consultation and planning.

G.        The Meriden Public Schools staff member or the team shall monitor the student's progress and shall consult as necessary with family, outside professionals and school staff.

IV.       If the student is assessed to be "in imminent danger":

A.        The Meriden Public Schools staff member shall ensure that the student is not left alone.

B.        The Meriden Public Schools staff member shall notify the parent/guardian and request that the student be picked up at school and taken to a medical or mental health professional for thorough suicidal risk evaluation.

C.        When the parent/guardian arrives at school, the Meriden Public Schools staff member shall meet with him/her to discuss:

1.         the seriousness of the situation;

2.         the need for an immediate suicide risk evaluation at a medical or mental health facility, or other appropriate evaluation(s);

3.         the need for continued monitoring of the student at home if he/she is released following the evaluation;

4.         referral to appropriate professional services outside the school system; and

5.         a request for the parent/guardian to sign a release of information form permitting communication between the school and the facility to which the student will be taken, the student's therapist and other appropriate individuals.

E.         The Meriden Public Schools staff member shall document in writing the course of events, including what transpired at the meeting, and the outcome.

F.         The Meriden Public Schools staff member shall inform the principal of the course of events and the outcome.

G.        The Meriden Public Schools staff member may notify other staff, as necessary to protect the student and others.

H.        The Meriden Public Schools staff member may refer the student to the school's Child Study Team, Mental Health Team, Crisis Intervention Team, Student Assistance Team, Planning and Placement Team or other staff as appropriate for further consultation and planning.

I.          If the parent/guardian is unable to come to school:

1.         TheMeridenPublic Schools staff member shall provide, over the telephone, information as to available resources outside and within the school system, and shall plan follow-up contacts.

2.         The Meriden Public Schools staff member will notify the parent/guardian of his/her intent to and arrange transport of the student to an appropriate evaluation/treatment site by means of emergency vehicle (e.g., ambulance or police cruiser).

3.         Police may be notified if the student poses a threat to the safety of him/herself or others, or as dictated by other circumstances.

4.         TheMeridenPublic Schools staff member shall document in writing the course of events and the outcome.

5.         TheMeridenPublic Schools staff member shall inform the principal of the course of events and the outcome.

J.          If the parent/guardian does not agree with the school's determination that the student is in imminent danger or for any other reason refuses to take action:

1.         TheMeridenPublic Schools staff member shall meet with the building principal to develop an immediate plan focused on protection of the student.

2.         The Meriden Public Schools staff member shall notify the parent/guardian of the plan and shall either a) inform the parent/guardian that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) will be contacted and a medical neglect referral made, if the parent/guardian remains uncooperative and the student is less than 18 years of age; or b) inform the parent or guardian and student that the police will be called if the parent or guardian or student remains uncooperative.

3.         TheMeridenPublic Schools staff member shall arrange for an emergency vehicle to transport the student to the hospital or an appropriate mental health facility; shall inform hospital staff of the situation; shall plan follow-up in relation to hospital staff or mental health facility staff decisions as to how to proceed.

4.         TheMeridenPublic Schools staff member shall consult and cooperate with DCF and/or the police as necessary.

5.         TheMeridenPublic Schools staff member shall document in writing the course of events and the outcome.

K.        When a student assessed to have been "in imminent danger" returns to the school, the PPS staff member or the appropriate school-based team (if such referral has been made) shall coordinate consultation with outside professionals, supportive services in school, and changes in the instructional program, when necessary.

Suicide Education/Prevention - Students and Staff

I.          As part of theMeriden Public Schools' Health Education Curriculum and Developmental Guidance Curriculum, students will be educated regarding suicide risk factors and danger signals, and how they might appropriately respond if confronted with suicidal behavior, verbalizations, or thoughts.

II.        Annually, in-service training for school staff will be held in each school building to discuss suicide risk factors, danger signals, and the procedures outlined in these regulations.

Approved: August 19, 2014