District Policies

C425 STUDENT SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS

The School Board recognizes that suicide is one of the leading causes of death for Indiana youth. This policy is meant to increase child suicide awareness and prevention. The School Board believes there must be a partnership between families, the community, and the School Corporation.

To that end, the School Corporation cooperates with the larger community, including suicide prevention services. Information regarding such suicide prevention services located in our community can be found (On each school's counseling website and on Hancock Co. Healthy365 System of Care website https://www.behealthy365.org/about/system-of-care/). Further, information regarding crisis intervention referral is available to students, parents, and School Corporation employees. (On each school's counseling website and on Hancock Co. Healthy365 System of Care website https://www.behealthy365.org/about/system-of-care/). All corporation employees are eligible for the Employee Assistance Program (Information can be found on the Human Resource website).

The School Corporation provides counseling services for students and families related to suicide prevention. Each schools' counselors or social workers provide services. Counselors/social workers can also refer parents/students to School Based Services through our partner Community Health Network.

The School Corporation recognizes the relationship between suicide and drug and alcohol use. The plan, training, and any other program authorized under this policy shall increase awareness of this correlation.

The School Corporation shall provide evidence-based training to School Corporation employees consistent with Indiana law. The training will address warning signs and tendencies that may evidence a student is considering suicide.

Consistent with Indiana law, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall develop a plan to assist survivors of attempted suicide and to assist students and School Corporation employees to cope with a suicide or attempted suicide. The Superintendent or his/her designee may develop any other program or activity appropriate to increase awareness and prevention of child suicide.