Florida School Toolkit for K-12 Educators to Prevent Suicide

ORIENTATION Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 The Unique Needs of Florida for Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention . ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Legislation ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Ten Things School Mental Health Professionals (SMHPs) Can Do to Prevent Youth Suicide . ........................................................................................................................................ 10 World Health Organization Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 11 S.T.E.P.S. FRAMEWORK Key Terms and Considerations .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Key Roles ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Key Principles ............................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Section 1: Suicide Awareness and Prevention .................................................................................................................. 15 Key Components of a Model Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Response Policy . ......................................... 16 Section 2: Suicide Intervention ............................................................................................................................................. 20 Confidentiality .......................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Related Behaviors to Consider . .......................................................................................................................................... 23 Responses and Procedures ................................................................................................................................................... 26 Safety Plans .............................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Community Resources and Reentry Notes........................................................................................................................ 33 Section 3: Postvention After a Suicide ............................................................................................................................... 34 Critical Procedures to Follow in the Aftermath of a Death by Suicide .................................................................... 35 Table of Contents Florida S.T.E.P.S.