Yes and no. Yes, if they know what to do. No, if they don’t.
Suicide prevention training for schools has increased dramatically in recent years. That means teachers and staff are learning to recognize warning signs and take action if a student is at risk.
However, training students in suicide prevention is still a controversial subject. Too many adults believe that if the topic of suicide is brought up among teens, they will latch on to the idea that suicide may be a solution to their troubles.
That is simply not true. In fact, the more suicide is discussed, the more students will learn about how to handle a difficult situation.
Do you know any teens who would want to prevent suicide? Here’s how they could save a friend if they know what to do. Tips for Teens to Prevent Suicide.
A
Culture of Caring: A Suicide Prevention Guide for Schools (K-12) was
created as a resource for educators who want to know how to get started and
what steps to take to create a suicide prevention plan that will work for their
schools and districts. It is written from my perspective as a school principal
and survivor of suicide loss, not an expert in psychology or counseling. I hope
that any teacher, school counselor, psychologist, principal, or district
administrator can pick up this book, flip to a chapter, and easily find helpful
answers to the questions they are likely to have about what schools can do to
prevent suicide.
