Micro-Skills for Schools: Action Steps to Take When You Recognize Suicidal Feelings, Thoughts, and Behaviors

Description

Action Steps to Take When You Recognize Suicidal Feelings, Thoughts, and Behaviors can help educate students about how to recognize signs and symptoms in themselves; know how to reach out for help; support students who may be at risk; provide a safe place to talk; and advocate for students to visit a mental health professional. The action steps include:

1. Provide universal, Tier 1 approaches to educate groups of students.
2. Provide targeted, Tier 2 approaches to educate students at risk.
3. Provide individual, Tier 3 approaches to educate students by a mental health professional.
4. Understand and familiarize yourself with your school district’s policies and procedures.
5. Never lave someone who is suicidal alone.
6. Always supervise the student to ensure safety.
7. Pay attention to student warning signs through their academic work.
8. Always take suicidal feelings, thoughts, and behaviors seriously, no matter how minor they seem.
9. Students at risk can benefit from a supportive class and school environment.
10. Offer opportunities for students to make positive connections with one another.

This resource is part of the Depression series of Early Intervention resources developed by Miami University’s Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs (CSBMHP) and the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success (OMHNSS) as part of the Early Intervention Initiative (funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, grant #2300293, https://mha.ohio.gov/).