Florida School Toolkit for K-12 Educators to Prevent Suicide

School counselors would likely be the appropriate personnel to follow up with the family and student to inquire if outside services are being rendered, but an administrator or even a teacher in the smallest districts of Florida may need to fulfill this role. It is also strongly recommended that the release of information section (Tool 18) be signed by the parents to allow the school to communicate with outside practitioners such as therapists and medical personnel. Parents may be reluctant to sign a release of information form, but school counselors are encouraged to explain why sharing information is in the student’s best interest. One of the challenges for school personnel, and especially school counselors, is how to refer suicidal students to private practitioners, agencies, and hospitals where the professionals are well trained in suicide assessment and management. A parent once commented to Scott Poland, “I took my son to a psychologist as the school recommended but was told not to worry as my son was exhibiting typical teenage behavior and two weeks later he died by suicide!” Florida school counselors should refer to professionals that they know are well trained and competent in suicide assessment and management. Potential community-based health care providers need to be asked about their training and experience in suicide assessment and management, especially with a school-age client. Key questions to ask the potential health care providers are in Tool 28a. The school is not responsible for the cost of treatment. The parent notification form reinforces this practice (Tool 18). Student Reentry After Hospitalization for Suicidal Behavior The reentry process and follow-up of a student who has been hospitalized for suicidal behavior is extremely important. Key school personnel such as the counselor or the suicide prevention expert should carefully monitor the student’s behavior, as there is a great need for continuing mental health care and assessment of suicide risk. A comprehensive suicide risk-monitoring tool is available in the book Suicide in Schools by Erbacher, Singer, and Poland, 2015. A revision of this book is expected in 2021. The counselor or suicide prevention expert should review the reentry checklist available in Tool 20 as they address the following considerations with the student and his or her parents: • The student will likely feel very overwhelmed by all of the missed assignments and instruction while they were hospitalized. Empathy and compassion are recommended in this situation. Educators are encouraged to reduce academic expectations and extend timelines for missed assignments. • The suicidal student’s teachers need to know that depression and suicide are of concern. Discussion as to why the student has been suicidal or possible contributing factors such as losses, family issues, mental illness or bullying are to be avoided, with the emphasis on teachers simply acknowledging depression and suicide as a concern and knowing the importance of being alert to further warning signs of suicide. In the event the teacher becomes concerned about a student’s suicidal behavior, the teacher should escort the student to the counseling office for immediate attention. • Key school personnel such as counselors should meet weekly for at least a month with a student returning from a hospitalization due to suicidal behavior. Suicide assessment is not a single event and requires careful follow-up at school and coordination with community mental health providers. Community Resources and Reentry Notes 33