5350 Pupil Suicide Prevention

5350 Pupil Suicide PreventionPage 1 of 3

5350 Pupil Suicide Prevention

The Board of Trustees recognizes that depression and self-destructive behaviors are significant problems among children and adolescents. A student under severe stress cannot benefit fully from the educational program and may pose a threat to him/herself and others.

The Board directs all school personnel to be alert to the student who exhibits signs of potential self-destructive behavior or who threatens or attempts to harm him/herself. Any such signs or the report of such signs from another student or staff members should be taken with the utmost seriousness and reported immediately to the Principal, who shall notify the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and other professional staff members in accordance with administrative regulations.

A potentially suicidal pupil shall be referred to the Child Study Team for appropriate evaluation and/or recommendation for independent medical or psychiatric services. In the event that the parents or legal guardians object to the recommended evaluation or indicates an unwillingness to cooperate in the best interests of the pupil, the Principal may contact the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services to request that agency’s intervention on the pupil’s behalf.

The Principal shall prepare and disseminate regulations for the guidance of staff members in recognizing the pupil who contemplates suicide, in responding to threatened or attempted suicide, and to managing the effects on other students and community members when a student commits suicide.

Procedures for a Child Speaking of Suicide

1. If a student makes any statement about committing suicide, exhibits any suicidal ideation, and/or expresses any desire to hurt him/herself,never leave the student unattended.

1. Notify the Principal immediatelyand refer student to the school social worker (the social worker makes assessments and determinations). If the Principal is not available, notify the Vice Principal or other responsible administrator, school nurse, or the school social worker. If none of these staff members are available, follow steps 2 – 8(I would remove statement as there should always be a covering administrator available in the building at all times).

1. Notify the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s)andrequest that they report to the school immediately.

1. The Principal, nurse, school social worker, or other staff member making the referral should write a brief report summarizing the cause for concern (including the statements, drawings, written notes, or other communication, made by the student that raised the question of suicidal risk), and steps taken by NECCS to ensure that the student is properly evaluated.Copies of the report should be distributed to the Principal and school social worker(This ensures continuum of care).

If a parent or legal guardian is available, release the student into custody of the parent or legal guardian and instruct them to take the student to the Emergency Room.Provide them witha copy ofthe NECCS report outlining the incident and procedure for obtaining psychiatric clearance. Have the identifying information and medical history on hand, and call ahead to the hospital to inform them that the child is coming

Primary Screening Centers for Essex County:

(1) East Orange General Hospital
300 Central Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07019
HOTLINE: 973-266-4478
(2) Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
HOTLINE: 973-926-7444
(3) University Behavioral Health Care
150 Bergen Street
Newark, NJ 07101
HOTLINE: 973-623-2323

1. If the parent or legal guardian is not immediately available, then the Principal, nurse, school social worker, or other staff member should call 911 to transport the child to the hospital. The accompanying staff member should take (2) copies ofthe NECCS report outlining incident and procedure for obtaining psychiatric clearance, student identifying sheet, and medical history. This information is to be given to the parent or legal guardian, and to the mental health professional evaluating the child.

1. The accompanying staff member should remain with the student until the parent or legal guardian arrives. If the parent or legal guardian does not respond within (2) hours, contact Principaland notify the Division of Youth and Family Services at

1-877-652-2873 for further assistance. (Staff cannot consent to treatment)

1. The After School Program staff members shallfollow procedures 2 through 7, accompanying the child to the hospital only if there is adequate staffing to supervise the remaining children in the program. In cases of inadequate staffing(I wouldclarify policyspecific to the Afterschool Program, as it is a separate program)

Adopted______