Policy to Practice: Exploring a Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Intervention in K12 Schools

Body of Abstract: Suicide is complex, and preventing suicide depends on not only suicide prevention policies but also suicide intervention protocols and practices. An evidence-based suicide risk screening tool is one key aspect of having comprehensive protocols and practices that promote student wellness and safety.
The SDCOE Student Wellness & School Culture team developed the award-winning Policy to Practice: Suicide Intervention Toolkit to support districts in having easy access to comprehensive and consistent practices and protocols to support suicidal students.
This workshop will share highlights from a replicable initiative across 430 schools using a standardized suicide risk-screening tool and current best practices guidelines in suicide intervention and how tracking anonymous data on suicide risk screenings can monitor trends and inform programming in schools.
School districts may use this toolkit to develop or enhance their own unique district suicide intervention protocol. The toolkit includes systematic best practice actions, templates, strategies, and resources that use a holistic approach in preventing suicide and promoting student wellness and safety.