CLAIRTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Transcription

1 No. 819 SECTION: OPERATIONS CLAIRTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TITLE: SUICIDE PREVENTION ADOPTED: January 22, 2007 REVISED: 819. SUICIDE PREVENTION 1. Purpose The increase in teenage suicide over the past decade has caused deep concern in the nation's public schools. 2. Delegation of Responsibility The district, recognizing its role in the total community's responsibility to address this important issue, has developed a set of procedures that all staff members will adhere to when dealing with students at-risk in situations that are life-threatening. These procedures will be part of the district's student support system and will encompass all students in grades K Guidelines The primary focus of this effort will be the introduction of a systematized referral process and guidelines for actions which will support all treatment efforts outside of school that contribute toward the safety and well-being of students in the district. All district staff will give priority attention to any communication, either verbal or written, which suggests suicide. Even threats made in jest will be considered as possible suicidal indicators. No one is to ignore any gesture in regard to the ending of a life. Each situation will be individually evaluated as to the appropriate course of action. Some indications of depression and suicidal tendencies are: 1. Sudden changes in behavior: for instance, when someone who normally takes great pride in his/her appearance suddenly seems to stop caring about it. 2. Dramatic changes in appetite: sudden weight gain or loss. 3. Sleeping difficulties: insomnia or a desire to sleep all the time. 4. Poor performance in school. 5. Trouble concentrating: agitation, inability to sit still. Page 1 of 6

2 819. SUICIDE PREVENTION - Pg Unexplained loss of energy: lethargy or excessive fatigue. 7. Loss of interest in friends. 8. Increased drug and/or alcohol use. While drugs and alcohol do not cause suicide, alcohol and certain kinds of drugs are depressants; and, if someone is depressed, using them will increase the severity of the depression. 9. Constant feelings of worthlessness or self-hatred. 10. Excessive risk-taking. 11. A previous suicide attempt. 12. Getting affairs in order. 13. Tendency toward isolation. 14. A philosophical preoccupation with death, dying, or suicide shown, for example, in conversation or in schoolwork. 15. The giving away of prized possessions. Primary Contact The primary contact is the first person to learn of the student at-risk. This individual will immediately take the following steps: 1. Stay with student. 2. Notify the principal. 3. Keep student talking. 4. If necessary, move student to private area, guidance office, or the principal's office. 5. Get any vital facts that may be useful at conference. 6. Be of assistance at conference, if needed. Page 2 of 6

3 819. SUICIDE PREVENTION - Pg. 3 Principal's Role After the principal is notified concerning the student at-risk, the following procedure begins: 1. The principal contacts the student's guidance counselor, where appropriate. 2. The principal and/or counselor go to the site of the primary contact who is with the student if they are located in an area away from the office. 3. The counselor stays with the student while the principal gains factual information from the primary contact. (If a crisis arises in an elementary building, the principal will speak with the primary contact and student in order to ascertain factual information concerning the crisis. The principal may also involve the district's psychologist.) 4. The principal will then assess the direct or non-direct suicidal signals of the student which have been presented to him/her in order to formulate a parental contact to arrange an immediate conference. In the event of a family separation or divorce, the principal will contact the parent/guardian who has custody of the child. 5. The student will remain with the primary contact and/or the counselor until the parent(s)/guardian(s) arrive at the school. 6. The principal will then take the parent(s)/guardian(s) to the student's site. 7. The conference begins and may include the following participants: a. Student. b. Primary contact. c. Parent(s)/Guardian(s). d. Counselor. e. Principal. f. School psychologist. Page 3 of 6

4 819. SUICIDE PREVENTION - Pg In the event that the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the principal and counselor will remain with the student until arrangements can be made to assure the child's safety. 9. The principal will contact the solicitor in the event that there is any question involving the legal responsibility of the school district or district personnel. Message To Parent/Guardian For Crisis Conference The principal will immediately contact the student at-risk's parent/guardian. The message to the parent/guardian should contain the following information: 1. Identification of caller (name, position, and building). 2. Identification of student. 3. Explanation of crisis. 4. Safety and whereabouts of student. 5. Arrangement of immediate conference. Counselor's Role The principal will contact the counselor immediately after receiving the notification from the primary contact. The counselor will accompany the principal to the site of the primary contact and student at-risk. The counselor will talk with the student while the primary contact gives pertinent information to the principal so that s/he can call the parent/guardian and schedule an immediate conference. The decision is made to move the group to the counselor's or principal's office to ascertain privacy. The counselor participates in the crisis conference. The principal or counselor will inform the parent/guardian and student that notification will be forwarded to the Superintendent and school psychologist so that appropriate follow-up may occur. Page 4 of 6

5 819. SUICIDE PREVENTION - Pg. 5 At conference's end, the counselor or principal will complete a written conference report and send it to the Superintendent, who will assign the school psychologist to assist in the follow-up of the case. The counselor will contact the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) to check whether recommendations of the conference have been met by all parties. The counselor will maintain a dialogue with the assigned psychologist to keep follow-up documented. Crisis Conference 1. Upon arrival, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be met by the principal and briefed as to actual occurrence. 2. A conference will then be held to discuss specific details and recommendations. 3. Those persons to be in attendance at this conference may include: a. Student. b. Parent(s)/Guardian(s). c. Principal. d. Guidance counselor. e. Primary contact (if needed). f. School psychologist (if needed). 4. Discussion will ensue regarding possible precipitating factors that led to the crisis situation. 5. At the conclusion of the discussion, the principal or counselor will recommend that the parent(s)/guardian(s) pursue outside supportive services; i.e., referral to outside agency or, if warranted, hospitalization. Page 5 of 6

6 819. SUICIDE PREVENTION - Pg. 6 Counselor/School Psychologist Follow-Up 1. The counselor/school psychologist will establish personal contact with the parent(s)/guardian(s) in an effort to provide support and professional advisement regarding: a. The possible need for treatment in the form of hospitalization and/or out-patient counseling at a community-based or private treatment facility. b. Alternative treatment resources, both public and private, if the initial source of treatment is found to be unsatisfactory. c. Community-based options regarding support systems that can assist parents/ guardians with at-risk children. 2. The counselor/school psychologist will maintain on-going contact with treatment source with the goal of facilitating the student's re-entry into school while acting as liaison between the treatment agency and appropriate school staff. 3. The counselor/school psychologist will serve as liaison between the treatment agency and appropriate school staff. 4. The counselor/school psychologist will provide summary documentation of school district intervention and recommendations. This information will remain on file in the district psychologist's office and shall be classified as Category C data. Page 6 of 6