Responding to self-harm, including suicide attempts, in students: a guide to assist secondary schools

Program description

The guidelines, developed in partnership with headspace, assist school staff following an attempted suicide or an incident of self-harm.

They support schools to recognise an instance of self-harm, respond to students’ immediate needs and ensure their safety and the safety of peers surrounding them.

An evidence-informed and timely response to supporting students who have engaged, or continue to engage, in self-harming behaviours in response to psychological distress offers the opportunity to disrupt the cycle of self-harm, alleviate distress and reduce potential ongoing mental health and wellbeing difficulties in the future.

Tools, templates, scripts and factsheets and a one-page overview are provided.

Intended outcomes

• Increased educator knowledge and understanding of self-harm and attempted suicide
• Increased capacity to recognise and respond to instances of self-harm and attempted suicide
• Enhanced response to student’s immediate needs to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them
• Restored wellbeing.

Program details

Implementation considerations

• Implementation can be supported with SAFEMinds and Suicide Risk Continuum Training.

Cost

• Item cost: Free
• Detailed cost: Backfilling may be required for staff to attend training