This episode begins a multi-part series on suicide awareness and prevention, where we’ll focus on the multi-layered issue faced by schools, educators and administrators. As part of the overarching discussion around school safety and security, we’ll be delving into the prevention of suicide by looking at behavioral health, risk factors, warning signs, school climate and other factors. Joining in today’s podcast with host Annette Gray, PSBA’s communication director, is Davelyn Smeltzer, PSBA’s senior director of governance services. Davelyn has been heading up the policy work that has been occurring in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. We’ll start our series with today’s part one, which highlights the school policy side of this important topic.
PSBA POLICY – 819. Suicide Awareness, Prevention and Response
PSBA POLICY – 819. Suicide Awareness, Prevention and Response
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Resources (embedded in PSBA policy)
National:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
- Crisis Text Line:TEXT 741-741 or visit http://www.crisistextline.org/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools
https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Preventing-Suicide-A-Toolkit-for-High-Schools/SMA12-4669
Pennsylvania:
- List of Crisis Intervention contact information by county
- List of County CASSP and Children’s Behavioral Health Contact Persons
- County Task Force Resources: By county, available contact information is provided for crisis, the Suicide Prevention Task Force, local chapter of AFSP, and other local mental health/suicide prevention resources
National and State Organizations
National:
- American Association of Suicidology (AAS): http://www.suicidology.org/
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): https://www.afsp.org/
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): http://www.sprc.org/
Pennsylvania:
- Prevent Suicide PA: http://www.preventsuicidepa.org/
- Jana Marie Foundation: http://www.janamariefoundation.org/
- Aevidum: http://aevidum.com/cms/
- Services for Teens at Risk (STAR-Center)
https://www.starcenter.pitt.edu/STAR-Center-Home/1/Default.aspx - Pennsylvania Department of Education www.education.state.pa.us
PDE Resource Links
Available on their website and as part of their policy. A comprehensive set of resources for youth suicide awareness and prevention is accessible at: PDE Suicide Prevention & Awareness
- Oct. 2014 Dear Colleague Letter related to peer harassment of students with disabilities: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/publications.html#Section504
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center – http://www.sprc.org/
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – http://www.afsp.org/
- SAMHSA’s Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools – http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA12-4669/SMA12-4669.pdf
- Services for Teens at Risk (STAR-Center) – http://www.starcenter.pitt.edu