Loudoun County Public Schools SUICIDE PREVENTION Town Hall

Loudoun County Public Schools SUICIDE PREVENTION Town Hall on Teen Suicide John Champe High School 1

“Suicide is everyone’s responsibility” – Scott Poland 2

LCPS Suicide Prevention Model Postvention Intervention Prevention Crisis Response Suicide Screenings & Follow Up Care Plans Depression Awareness Suicide Prevention Presentations 3

LCPS Suicide Prevention Program • Depression Awareness/Suicide Prevention Program § Based on the SOS Signs of Suicide® program, the only evidencebased program demonstrating a reduction (40%) in self-reported suicide attempts through randomized experimental design § LCPS psychologists, social workers and counselors began implementing this program in 2001 § Opt out program § Ninth Grade – Health and Physical Education class presentations § Booster program for upper grades § Delivered through a planned lesson, educational video, and guided classroom discussion § 92% of students who participated recommended the classroom presentation to their peers 4

SOS Signs of Suicide® Program Goals • Decrease suicide and attempts by increasing knowledge and adaptive attitudes about depression • Encourage individual help-seeking and help-seeking on behalf of a friend • Reduce stigma - link suicide to mental illness that, like physical illness, requires treatment

Suicide Intervention • Response when students express intent to do self-harm • LCPS Suicide Prevention Procedures for responding to the presence of a suicidal ideation and behavior (aligned to Virginia Code § 22. 1 -272. 1). Goals are to: – – Ensure student safety Refer to trained school staff to assess suicidal risk Communicate with parents to find appropriate care Provide follow-up support as appropriate 8

Suicide Screening • Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage for Mental Health Professionals – Conceived by Douglas Jacobs, MD – Developed as a collaboration between Screening for Mental Health Inc. and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center – Supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 9

Suicide Postvention • Central crisis intervention teams provide school-based support based on the National Association of School Psychologists’ PREPa. RE crisis response model ØEstablish/reaffirm psychological security and safety ØAssess psychological impact to determine support needs ØRe-establish social support systems ØProvide psychoeducation to students or caregiver trainings to teachers ØFacilitate intervention that focuses on normal reactions and healthy coping/recovering 10

Resources • (LCPS Suicide Prevention) http: //www. lcps. org/page/1817 • (LCPS Mental Health Resources) http: //www. lcps. org/cms/lib 4/VA 01000195/Centricity/Dom ain/4/School%20 Based%20 Mental%20 Health%20 Services %20 and%20 Community%20 Partners. pdf 11