5431

SUICIDE PREVENTION

Adolescent suicide is a major cause of death for teenagers. The Board of Education shall attempt to address the problem through intervention, prevention and education.

It is understood that district employees do not have expertise either in the general area of mental health care nor the specific area of adolescent suicide. However, all school personnel and most specifically guidance counselors and teachers who work with students shall receive training to assist them to recognize clues and give help once suicide appears as a possibility for a student known to them. The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for planning and implementing personnel inservice programs which address the problem of adolescent suicide. The programs may be planned in cooperation with the state or community mental health agency.

Adoption date: January 1, 1993

Reviewed on:    November 23, 2003