Suicide Prevention Reporting for School Counselors

Meridian Joint School District No. 2

What does the legal system require of schools?

Idaho Code 33-512B Suicidal Tendencies….Duty to Warn

Duty to refer grows out of the California appeal court’s decision in Nally vs. Grace Community (87 Daily Journal, D.A.R. 6595)

The Court held, “ The jury could reasonably conclude that the standard of care imposed on non-therapists who hold themselves out as counselors can require them to refer suicidal persons to these individuals authorized and specially suited to prevent suicide.”

What are the requirements by the State Department of Education?

Idaho Administrative Rules of the State Board of Education (IDAPA .08.02.03)

“Thoroughness” Section 600 Safe Environment and Discipline requires each school district to have a comprehensive district-wide policy and procedure encompassing the following:

Suicide Prevention Meridian Joint School District Policy

504.21

Meridian Joint School District No. 2 School Counseling Department Suicide Prevention Procedures

1. Notification responsibilities of faculty and staff

2. Crisis Interview3. Consult with team member4. Inform Parents5. Documentation 6. If needed …Alleged Abuse/Neglect

Report (Idaho Code 16-1619)

Identification

Annual Building Staff In-service Training provided by school counselorsSigns and symptomsRisk FactorsProcedures for reporting

Crisis Interview

Questions to ask…Does the student have a Specific

plan? Date? Time? Method? How Lethal is the proposed

method?Have they Acquired the means or

How Available is the means? Other Suicide Lethality Checklists

Referrals“The school is not a clinical setting….referral is a legal necessity.” William Steele, Trauma Response Teams in Schools, 1999

Refer to community agencies such as Intermountain Hospital

Private therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists Collaborate with state agencies such as Health

and Welfare, Children’s Mental Health

Interventions

Required minimum interventions by

school counselors: Crisis interview Contact parents Provide referrals Follow-up with student

Optional interventions: Assess family’s ability to

provide support Contact other agencies for

additional support (I.e. Children’s Mental Health, Child Protective Services)

Arrange for immediate transportation by law enforcement to a secure facility (hospital)

Arrange for daily contact with student (“check-ins”)