Help chains

  Learn them. Understand them. A help chain is the link-by-link human support system you should access when dealing with a suicidal student. With whom do you start? Who is the anchor--who is ultimately responsible for getting the student help? Learn your school policy for reporting of suicidal statements or behavior from students. Some schools use administrative supports, some use counseling/guidance supports, and some use the school nurse/medical staff as resources. When you believe you are dealing with a suicidal student, what is your help chain? Who is your school's emergency contact person? Learn your community's crisis resources. What is the help chain in your community?

Educate yourself and others

  Target professional development hours toward studying this topic. Learn about risk factors, warning signs, and basic facts. Be aware of local and national helping resources. Be aware of local, state, and federal law pertaining to the reporting of suicidal statements or behavior from students.

Lead

  If your school has no policy or "help chain" in place for reporting or addressing the needs of suicidal students, encourage your administration to develop a policy. If your school has no suicide prevention program, encourage your administration to work with local professionals to develop an appropriate program. Encourage your school to act before a crisis. This will certainly reduce the stress level of all educators involved.

Practice the positive

  Let your students know--even the troublesome students--that you value them as people. Catch kids doing something right and tell them all about it. Work to make your school and classrooms a haven for the positive; set up your class structure so that students work to earn positives rather than avoid negatives.