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

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

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

LCPS Suicide Prevention Program Depression Awareness/Suicide Prevention Program  Based on the SOS Signs of Suicide® program, the only evidence- based 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 § ). 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’ PREPaRE crisis response model  Establish/reaffirm psychological security and safety  Assess psychological impact to determine support needs  Re-establish social support systems  Provide psychoeducation to students or caregiver trainings to teachers  Facilitate intervention that focuses on normal reactions and healthy coping/recovering 10

Resources (LCPS Suicide Prevention) (LCPS Mental Health Resources) ain/4/School%20Based%20Mental%20Health%20Services %20and%20Community%20Partners.pdf(LCPS Mental Health Resources) ain/4/School%20Based%20Mental%20Health%20Services %20and%20Community%20Partners.pdf 11