5141.52 - Suicide Prevention

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools recognizes that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth, prevention is a collective effort that requires collaborator engagement, and that 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, and its impact on students, families, staff, and the community, as well as other trauma associated with suicide, the Superintendent or designee shall develop measures, strategies, practices, and supports for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

Policies and procedures for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention shall include consultation with school and community stakeholders, school-employed mental health professionals, suicide prevention experts, and, in developing policy for grades K-6, 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 SBCSS 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 SBCSS risk manager or insurance carrier. The Superintendent or designee may also collaborate with county and/or city governments in an effort to align SBCSS policy with any existing community suicide prevention plans.

(cf. 1020 - Youth Services)
(cf. 1220 - Citizen Advisory Committees)
(cf. 1400 - Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies and the Schools)

Such measures and strategies shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Staff development on suicide awareness and prevention for teachers, school counselors, and other SBCSS employees who interact with students, including as appropriate, substitute teachers, expanded day learning staff, tutors, and volunteers.

(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)

2. Instruction to students in problem-solving, coping skills, and resiliency 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. Instruction will be delivered in a manner that is sensitive to the needs, ages, and developmental levels of students.

(cf. 6142.8 - Comprehensive Health Education)

3. Methods for promoting a positive, inclusive, and supportive school climate that enhances students' feelings of connectedness and are enhanced by healthy relationships with peers and staff.

(cf. 5131 - Conduct)
(cf. 5131.2 - Bullying)
(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)
(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment) (cf. 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment)
(cf. 5145.9 - Hate-Motivated Behavior)

4. 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.

5. The provision of information to parents/guardians and caregivers regarding risk factors, protective factors, warning signs of suicide, the severity of the youth suicide problem, SBCSS’s suicide prevention curriculum, basic steps for helping suicidal youth, the importance of communicating with appropriate staff if suicide risk is present or suspected, and/or school and community resources that can help youth in crisis.

6. 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.

7. Crisis intervention procedures for addressing suicide threats or attempts, which include, but are not limited to, the following actions:

1. Immediately securing medical treatment and/or mental health services as necessary
2. Notifying law enforcement and/or other emergency assistance if a suicidal act is being actively threatened
3. Keeping the student under continuous adult supervision until the parent/guardian and/or appropriate support agent or agency can be contacted and has the opportunity to intervene
4. Removing other students from the immediate area as soon as possible

8. Counseling and other postvention strategies for helping students, staff, families, and others cope in the aftermath of a student's suicide.

9. Establishment of the SBCSS crisis intervention team to ensure the proper implementation and review of this policy and other practices related to the emotional and behavioral wellness of students, including, but not limited to, the oversight of mental health and suicide prevention training, collaboration with community mental organizations, identification of resources and organizations that provide evidence-based treatment, collaboration to build community response, and compliance with Education Code 215.

As appropriate, 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 impacted 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 youth. (Education Code 215)

The measures and strategies may also address the needs of students with individual risk factors such as previous suicide attempt(s) or self-harm, history of depression or mental illness, family history of suicide or violence, feelings of isolation, interpersonal conflicts, a recent severe or traumatic stressor or loss, family instability, impulsivity, and other factors.

Measures and strategies for students in grades K-6 shall be age appropriate and delivered and discussed in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of young students. (Educational Code 215)

Student identification cards for students in grades 7-12 shall include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline telephone number and may also include the Crisis Text Line and/or a local suicide prevention hotline telephone number. (Education Code 215.5)

Students shall be encouraged to notify a teacher, principal, counselor, or other adult when they are experiencing thoughts of suicide or when they suspect or have knowledge of another student's suicidal intentions.

Every statement regarding suicidal intent shall be taken seriously. Any staff member who suspects or has knowledge of a student's suicidal intentions based on the student's verbalizations or act of self-harm is encouraged to promptly notify the principal or school counselor, who shall implement SBCSS intervention protocols as appropriate.

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 county office of education shall coordinate and consult with the county mental health plan. (Education Code 215)

SBCSS 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 SBCSS employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so. (Education Code 215)

SBCSS shall review, and update as necessary, this policy at least every five years. SBCSS may, at its discretion, review the policy more frequently. (Education Code 215)

The County Superintendent or designee shall post this policy on the SBCSS website in a prominent location and in a manner that is easily accessible to parents/guardians and students. (Education Code 234.6)

Legal Reference

EDUCATION CODE
215 Student suicide prevention policies
215.5 Suicide prevention hotline contact information on student identification card
234.6 Bullying and harassment prevention information
32280-32289 Comprehensive safety plan 49060-49079 Student records
49602 Confidentiality of student information
49604 Suicide prevention training for school counselors

GOVERNMENT CODE
810-996.6 Government Claims Act

PENAL CODE
11164-11174.3 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE
5698 Emotionally disturbed youth; legislative intent 5850-5883 Mental Health Services Act

COURT DECISIONS
Corales v. Bennett (Ontario-Montclair School District), (2009) 567 F.3d 554

Management Resources

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Health Education Content Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2008 Health Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2019

CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PUBLICATIONS
School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth, 2009

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS PUBLICATIONS
Preventing Suicide, Guidelines for Administrators and Crisis Teams, 2015

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PUBLICATIONS
Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools, 2012
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action, rev. 2012

Websites

American Association of Suicidology
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 
American Psychological Association 
American School Counselor Association 
CA Department of Education - Mental Health 
CA Department of Health Care Services - Suicide Prevention Program 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Mental Health 
National Association of School Psychologists 
National Institute for Mental Health 
Suicide Prevention Resource Center 
Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
Trevor Project 
US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

Approved: August 8, 2017
Revised: March 7, 2023