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

Do not provide details ofthe method of suicide orattempted suicide.Informing students of a suicideFriends closest to the studentIdeally, these students will have been spoken to individually, or in smallgroups, by a counsellor or a mental health professional. Depending on theirresponses arrangements should be made for them to be collected by theirparents. No students affected by the news should be allowed to leave the schoolunaccompanied.Students in the same year levelA modified statement should be provided to students in the same year level inrecognition of their closer association with the student; their anticipated desirefor more information; and a different need for support.Students in the same class as a siblingThis group will need to be given additional assistance in understanding how tosupport their classmate once they return to school. It may be appropriate to havethe counsellor or mental health professional speak to this group as well as theclass teacher.School communityThe school community should be informed as soon as possible via a statementprepared by the IMT (see Section G). This is an important way to supportthose staff for whom the task of informing students is stressful. It also ensuresthat accurate and consistent information is provided to students as a way ofcountering the rumours and misinformation that inevitably arise in any crisis.This first statement should also promote the important notion of studentslooking out for each other.The issue of naming the student is particularly sensitive and should not usuallybe disclosed to the whole school community. Do not provide details of themethod of suicide or attempted suicide.Home or pastoral groups, class groups or year level groups are the preferredenvironments in which to inform students. Whole school assemblies are notrecommended because student reactions are more difficult to manage and it isharder to support individuals.20Section B: First 24 hours