Suicide Assessment Protocol Gina Bassford Coordinator for Counseling and Career Services Aiken County Schools

Recognition of a Problem  Growing trend across the country  Student loss  Student loss after graduation  Counselor awareness of increasing issue

Developing a Suicide Assessment Protocol  Visited other districts  Consulted with Dr. Melissa Reeves, President of National Association of School Psychologists  Developed a draft protocol  Team review  January 15, 2016 Staff Training  January 19, 2016 District-wide Implementation

Determination of Risk Level  Team Approach Guides the Process in determining the Risk Level  Low Risk  Moderate Risk  High Risk

Assessment Procedures  Communicated Intent  Ideation  Previous Attempts  Plan (specific, detailed, viable)  Changes in Mood/Behavior  Stressors  Mental Illness  Substance Use  Protective Factors  Support system  Sense of purpose  Plans for future  Understanding of death  Personal Factors  Engage in risky behaviors  Impulsive  Affect

Low Risk Protocol  CALL PARENT  If parent can’t be reached, involve SRO or law enforcement  Student searched by admin, if necessary  Reassure and supervise the student  Assist with connecting student to school and community resources  Child released to parent custody for parent follow-up OR routine after school transportation

Moderate Risk Protocol There is a plan, but there is no access and/or no desire to immediately carry out the plan.  CALL PARENT  If parent can’t be reached, involve SRO or law enforcement  Student searched by admin, if necessary  Supervise student at all times, including restroom  Release student to:  Parent/guardian committed to seek mental health attention within 24 hours  Law enforcement  DSS  Ambulance transport  School requires medical note of having been seen  Parent briefed on process and re-entry meeting planned

High Risk Protocol There is an imminent threat and immediate mental health assessment is required.  The same procedures observed as in Moderate assessment except The student must receive an immediate mental health assessment

After the Assessment Moderate or High Only  Student Returns to School  Student meets with counselor and parent when returned with note  If the student comes without a note, the parent is called to pick up the student and take for an assessment  If parent hasn’t taken student for assessment and refuses to do so, DSS is contacted  Student doesn’t return to school  Defined follow-up protocol is in place which focuses on getting the student help  Re-entry Plan Developed

Responding to needs  Data is being analyzed to determine needs – school, grade level, etc.  Always err on the side of caution  “Signs of Suicide” in ALL high schools (provided by Mental Health America)  “Signs of Suicide” in 3 middle schools (provided by Mental Health America)  Staff training  Jason Flatt Act  Intervention Programs: One Child-Once Chance piloted in Middle Schools

QUESTIONS????