After a Student Suicide- How Schools Should Respond

One mental health expert likens a student suicide to a bomb going off in the school. Those closest to the student are most directly affected, but the impact can impact the entire student body, even those who didn’t know the student well. It’s critical that schools respond in the correct way, both to help students and staff heal, and to prevent additional suicides. Schools have to walk a fine line between not glamorizing the death, but not ignoring it either. They need to provide opportunities for students and staff to grieve and receive counseling. We talk with mental health professionals about how schools should respond. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also has a comprehensive toolkit for schools to help them react quickly and appropriately. https://bit.ly/2pq1B3h If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line: by texting TALK to 741741