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

Monitor studentsIn the first 24 hours, the closest friends and associates of the student and anystudents who witnessed the suicide or attempt suicide should be contacted andprovided with immediate support.The next steps – 48-72 hours – are to identify all of the students of concern andto develop response and support plans for each of them.Although it is not possible to prevent every suicide, it is possible to recognisechanges in behaviour and the existence of common crises that may precipitatesuicidal behaviour. Knowledge of the warning signs and risk factors can assistschool staff to intervene in the potentially destructive process in which a youngperson is enveloped and take action to alleviate it.The law does not require you to predict and prevent every situation. Your dutyis to take whatever steps you can to minimise how frequently this behaviouroccurs and the risk of injury as a result.1. Identify students who are at riskThis may include some or all of the following:• siblings of the student who has attempted suicide or has committed suicide• students who have a history of suicide attempt(s)• any student experiencing depression/suicide ideation/self-harm, whether ornot they have accessed mental health services for treatment• students known to be struggling with grief or trauma related to other deaths,accidents, catastrophes, family breakdown or emotional, physical or sexualabuse.2. Identify other students who may be profoundly affected by thedeath or suicide attempt, using staff, students, parents/guardiansand the school communityThis may include some or all of the following:• friends or boyfriends/girlfriends who attend other schools• friends/acquaintances who communicated with the student in some fashion inthe last hours before the suicide or attempted suicide took place• students who may have had negative communication with the deceased• students who are expressing guilt about “messages” that they were given bythe student but did not act on or share with an adult.3. Identify other students of concern via referrals from staff,students or parents• students and parents are encouraged to contact the school if they are worriedabout young people through the statements and notices provided by theschool• staff are also encouraged to provide information about students of concernso that they can be provided with appropriate supports.28Section C: First 48-72 hours