Responding to the suicide of a student: a guide to assist secondary schools

These guidelines help schools respond to student suicide, offering strategies for prevention and support.

  • Tier: Tier 3: Targeted support
  • Type of intervention: DET funded resources
  • Strength of evidence: Not applicable
  • Geographic location: State-wide

Program description

The guidelines, developed in partnership with headspace, assist secondary schools with the steps and activities undertaken in the immediate, short-term and long-term phases of a response to a suicide or suspected suicide of a student.

The guidelines also provide a suicide prevention strategy for people exposed to and bereaved by suicide.

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

Intended outcomes

  • Increased awareness for all school staff about the complexity of suicide and the need for appropriately trained staff to restore safety and reduce the risk to others in the school community
  • Schools supported to respond to the suicide of a student in a timely and coordinated way with evidence-based and practice-informed tools and resources to support schools
  • Restored wellbeing

Program details

Target audienceCapacity building for secondary school staff
Program providerDepartment of Education Victoria in partnership with headspace
Delivery modeOnline

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

Updated