Guidelines to assist in responding to attempted suicide or suicide by ...

Communication with staff, students andthe communityInform staffBrief staff about:• the facts of the situation including any parent wishes about what informationthey want to be shared/withheld• recommend that staff immediately follow up all unauthorised/unexplainedstudent absences• the members of the IMT and their roles, particularly identifying the staffmember to whom people should convey any new or relevant information theyreceive• any changes to responsibilities or routines• how phone enquiries are to be managed• the importance of not asking students for information relating to theattempted suicide or suicide, but passing on what they are told or observe• forwarding items of the deceased student’s work to a nominated staffmember (e.g. art work, assignments journals etc, so that these can be storedsecurely and passed on to the police or the family)• the principles of postvention: to prevent further harm to others by identifyingpeople at risk and by managing the school’s responses so that attempted orcompleted suicide is neither glamorised or sensationalized.Ask staff about:• which students they consider will need particular support and which studentsare of concern• what they know that may be relevant.All staff briefings in the first 24 hour period should be used to both conveyand seek information. This contributes to a sense of collegiality and sharedresponsibility which helps protect the wellbeing of staff.Display relevant information about roles and special procedures in the staffroom and ensure all adults who will have contact with students in the following24 hours are briefed—regular bus drivers, sports coaches, canteen staff, schoolsupport staff, out of school hours care staff, tutors etc.Counselling services for staffThe Department’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidentialcounselling for employees who may have personal or work related issuesthat are affecting their employment. The service is provided by ConvergeInternational. Employees can call Converge International directly on1800 337 068 to make a counselling session appointment. Principals andmanagers can refer employees to the EAP for support at no cost to employees.Principals and managers are able to access DEECD ‘Manager Assist’ on1800 337 068 for management advice and support.A directory of online or ‘e-mental’ health services and therapies for people whoneed help with depression and anxiety is available at:www.beyondblue.org.au/ementalhealthdirectoryGuidelines to assist in responding to attempted suicide or suicide by a student19