Suicide Prevention Reporting for School Counselors Meridian Joint School District No. 2

What does the legal system require of schools?  Idaho Code B Suicidal Tendencies….Duty to Warn  Duty to refer grows out of the California appeal court’s decision in Nally vs. Grace Community (87 Daily Journal, D.A.R. 6595) The Court held, “ The jury could reasonably conclude that the standard of care imposed on non-therapists who hold themselves out as counselors can require them to refer suicidal persons to these individuals authorized and specially suited to prevent suicide.”

What are the requirements by the State Department of Education?  Idaho Administrative Rules of the State Board of Education (IDAPA ) “Thoroughness” Section 600 Safe Environment and Discipline requires each school district to have a comprehensive district- wide policy and procedure encompassing the following:  Suicide Prevention  Meridian Joint School District Policy

Meridian Joint School District No. 2 School Counseling Department Suicide Prevention Procedures 1. Notification responsibilities of faculty and staff 2. Crisis Interview 3. Consult with team member 4. Inform Parents 5. Documentation 6. If needed …Alleged Abuse/Neglect Report (Idaho Code )

Identification  Annual Building Staff In-service Training provided by school counselors Signs and symptoms Risk Factors Procedures for reporting

Crisis Interview Questions to ask…  Does the student have a Specific plan? Date? Time?  Method? How Lethal is the proposed method?  Have they Acquired the means or How Available is the means? Other Suicide Lethality Checklists

Referrals “The school is not a clinical setting….referral is a legal necessity.” William Steele, Trauma Response Teams in Schools, 1999  Refer to community agencies such as Intermountain Hospital  Private therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists  Collaborate with state agencies such as Health and Welfare, Children’s Mental Health

Interventions Required minimum interventions by school counselors:  Crisis interview  Contact parents  Provide referrals  Follow-up with student Optional interventions:  Assess family’s ability to provide support  Contact other agencies for additional support (I.e. Children’s Mental Health, Child Protective Services)  Arrange for immediate transportation by law enforcement to a secure facility (hospital)  Arrange for daily contact with student (“check-ins”)