Siuslaw School District - Suicide Prevention Program

Hope is a necessity for a normal life and the major weapon against the suicide impulse. —Karl A. Menninger

Purpose

The first goal and responsibility of Siuslaw School District is to protect the safety of all our students.  We also know that the physical and mental health of our students significantly affects performance in both academics and behavior.  Consequently, we have a professional and ethical responsibility to apply explicit, best practice programs to prevent, reduce, and heal the impact of suicidal behavior among our students. Of course, due to the broad range of human (and particularly youth) behavior, this guidance requires professional judgement as outlined by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards (2016).

Scope

State licensure standards enumerate the ethical responsibilities of all Oregon educators. As a response, this plan addresses suicidal thoughts or behaviors of students occurring in any area of the school or local community, in which information about the behavior enters into the school domain, either in person or through electronic means.

Overview of Adi’s Act (Senate Bill 52)

http://www.basicrights.org/featured/working-for-adis-act/

“Adi was an activist who sought to change the world and we are committed to ensuring that we continue her fight for justice,” said her parents Lon and Christine. “Part of her legacy is ensuring that we take critical steps to create a more loving, affirming world for the many students like Adi who stand out because of their differences.”

You will find the following words referenced throughout this document. These definitions are taken from the Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention, the American School Counselor Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, the Trevor Project, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Document Manual drafted June 2021 by District Suicide Prevention Team Members: Allison Bitner, Robert Orr, Laura Osbon, Parma Roe & Lisa Utz with guidance from LCPH Suicide Prevention Specialists Doug Gouge and Roger Brubaker (updated January 2022)

Document & Resource Links

DOUGY CENTER - Grief support and resources

Local , County and General Resource List - This list contains a variety of phone and text contact numbers for Crisis, Counseling and Support Group services in Florence as well as the greater Lane County area, with additional website links to general educational information about mental health.

Local District Suicide Prevention Manual - Suicide Prevention Program - Prevention, Intervention & Postvention: Protocols & Strategies

District Policy JHH - Student Suicide Prevention

Policy JHH-AR - Prevention Manual