Suicide Prevention

BP 5141.52

Original Adopted Date: 06/09/2017 | Last Revised Date: 10/14/2021

The Board of Trustees recognizes that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth, prevention is a collective effort that requires stakeholder engagement, and school personnel who regularly interact with students are often in a position to recognize the warning signs of suicide and to offer appropriate referral and/or assistance. In an effort to reduce suicidal behavior, its impact on students and families, and other trauma associated with suicide, the Superintendent or designee may develop measures, strategies, practices, and supports for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.  

In developing policy and procedure strategies for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, the Superintendent or designee may consult with school and community stakeholders, school-employed mental health professionals, suicide prevention experts, and, in developing policy for grades K-8, the county mental health plan. (Education Code 215)   

School and community stakeholders and school mental health professionals with whom the Superintendent or designee shall consult may include district and school administrators, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school nurses, other staff, parents/guardians and caregivers, students, local health agencies, mental health professionals, community organizations, law enforcement, legal counsel, and/or the district's risk manager or insurance carrier. The Superintendent or designee may also collaborate with county and/or city governments in an effort to align district policy with any existing community suicide prevention plans.  

Measures and strategies for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention may include, but are not limited to:  

Staff development on suicide awareness and prevention for teachers, interns, school counselors, and others who interact with students.   
Instruction to students in problem-solving, coping, and resiliency skills to promote students' mental, emotional, and social health and well-being, as well as instruction in recognizing and appropriately responding to warning signs of suicidal intent in others  
Methods for promoting a positive school climate that enhances students' feelings of connectedness with the school and that is characterized by caring staff and harmonious interrelationships among students  
The review of materials and resources used in awareness efforts and communications to ensure they align with best practices for safe and effective messaging about suicide
The provision of information to parents/guardians and caregivers regarding risk and protective factors, warning signs of suicide, the severity of the suicide problem among youth, the district's suicide prevention curriculum, the district's suicide prevention policy and procedures, basic steps for helping suicidal youth, the importance of communicating with appropriate staff if suicide risk is present or suspected, access to suicide prevention training, and/or school and community resources that can help youth in crisis
Encouragement for students to notify appropriate school personnel or other adults when they are experiencing thoughts of suicide or when they suspect or have knowledge of another student's suicidal intentions  
Crisis intervention procedures for addressing suicide threats or attempts  
Counseling and other postvention strategies for helping students, staff, and others cope in the aftermath of a student's suicide   .

As appropriate, these measures and strategies shall specifically address the needs of students who are at high risk of suicide, including, but not limited to, students who are bereaved by suicide; students with disabilities, mental illness, or substance use disorders; students who are experiencing homelessness or who are in out-of-home settings such as foster care; and students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. (Education Code 215)   

The Board shall ensure that measures and strategies for students in grades K-6 are age appropriate and delivered and discussed in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of young students. (Education Code 215)

  If a referral is made for mental health or related services for a student in grade K-6 who is a Medi-Cal beneficiary, the Superintendent or designee shall coordinate and consult with the county mental health plan. (Education Code 215)  

District employees shall act only within the authorization and scope of their credential or license. Nothing in this policy shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging district employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so. (Education Code 215)

   The Board shall review, and update as necessary, this policy at least every five years. The Board may, at its discretion, review the policy more frequently. (Education Code 215)  The Superintendent or designee may periodically review district data pertaining to school climate and reports of suicidal ideation, attempts, or death to identify patterns or trends and make recommendations regarding program development.  

The Superintendent or designee shall post this policy on the district's web site, in a prominent location and in a manner that is easily accessible to parents/guardians and students. (Education Code 234.6) 

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Policy Reference Disclaimer:
These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority for the board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the subject matter of the policy.

State	Description
Ed. Code 215	Suicide prevention policies
Ed. Code 215.5	Student identification cards; inclusion of safety hotlines
Ed. Code 216	Suicide prevention online training programs
Ed. Code 234.6	Bullying and harassment prevention information
Ed. Code 32280-32289.5	School safety plans
Ed. Code 49060-49079	Student records
Ed. Code 49602	Counseling and confidentiality of student information
Ed. Code 49604	Suicide prevention training for school counselors
Gov. Code 810-996.6	Government Claims Act
Pen. Code 11164-11174.3	Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
W&I Code 5698	Emotionally disturbed youth; legislative intent
W&I Code 5850-5886	Children's Mental Health Services Act
Management Resources	Description
California Department of Education Publication	Health Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2019
California Department of Education Publication	Model Youth Suicide Prevention Policy
California Department of Education Publication	Health Education Content Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2008
CALSCHLS Publication	California School Staff Survey (CSSS)
CALSCHLS Publication	California School Parent Survey (CSPS)
CALSCHLS Publication	California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS)
CDC and Prevention Publication	School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth, 2009
Court Decision	Corales v. Bennett (Ontario-Montclair School District), (2009) 567 F.3d 554
Each Mind Matters Publication	Making Headlines: Guide to Engaging the Media in Suicide Prevention in California, 2012
Heard Alliance Publication	K-12 Toolkit for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention, 2017
Mental Health Svcs Oversight & Accountability Pub	Striving for Zero: California's Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention 2020-2025
Nat'l Assoc. of School Psychologists Publication	Preventing Suicide: Guidelines for Administrators and Crisis Teams, 2015
Suicide Prevention Resource Center Publication	After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools, 2nd Edition, 2018
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Publication	Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools, 2012
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Publication	National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action, rev. 2012
Website	CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services
Website	Suicide Prevention Messaging
Website	National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
Website	Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission
Website	HEARD Alliance
Website	Each Mind Matters: California's Mental Health Movement
Website	Crisis Text Line
Website	CalSCHLS
Website	California Mental Health Services Authority
Website	National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Website	Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Website	Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Website	Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Website	Trevor Project
Website	American Academy of Pediatrics
Website	American Association of Suicidology
Website	American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Website	American Psychological Association
Website	California Department of Education, Mental Health
Website	California Department of Health Care Services, Mental Health Services
Website	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mental Health
Website	National Association of School Psychologists
Website	National Institute for Mental Health
Website	American School Counselor Association

Cross References

Code	Description
0450	Comprehensive Safety Plan
0450	Comprehensive Safety Plan
0470	COVID-19 Mitigation Plan
1112	Media Relations
1220	Citizen Advisory Committees
1220	Citizen Advisory Committees
1240	Volunteer Assistance
1240	Volunteer Assistance
1240-E PDF(1)	Volunteer Assistance
1400	Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies And The Schools
3515	Campus Security
3515	Campus Security
4112.21	Interns
4112.21	Interns
4121	Temporary/Substitute Personnel
4121	Temporary/Substitute Personnel
4127	Temporary Athletic Team Coaches
4127	Temporary Athletic Team Coaches
4131	Staff Development
4227	Temporary Athletic Team Coaches
4227	Temporary Athletic Team Coaches
4231	Staff Development
4231	Staff Development
4327	Temporary Athletic Team Coaches
4327	Temporary Athletic Team Coaches
4331	Staff Development
5125	Student Records
5125	Student Records
5131	Conduct
5131.2	Bullying
5131.2	Bullying
5131.6	Alcohol And Other Drugs
5131.6	Alcohol And Other Drugs
5131.8	Mobile Communication Devices
5137	Positive School Climate
5141	Health Care And Emergencies
5141	Health Care And Emergencies
5141.4	Child Abuse Prevention And Reporting
5141.4	Child Abuse Prevention And Reporting
5141.5	Mental Health
5142	Safety
5142	Safety
5145.3	Nondiscrimination/Harassment
5145.3	Nondiscrimination/Harassment
5145.7	Sexual Harassment
5145.7	Sexual Harassment
5145.71	Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures
5145.9	Hate-Motivated Behavior
5148.2	Before/After School Programs
6145.2	Athletic Competition
6145.2	Athletic Competition
6145.8	Assemblies And Special Events
6164.2	Guidance/Counseling Services
6164.2	Guidance/Counseling Services
6164.5	Student Success Teams
6164.5	Student Success Teams