The Roles played in Youth Suicide Prevention

 Teacher’s role

When it comes to suicide prevention teachers play a key role considering the amount of time students spend at school 5 days a week. Teachers can use resources from places like Not My Kid, form networks for referrals to health professionals, hold meetings with parents to talk about suicide prevention and more. They can also talk openly in class about it in suitable lessons and find ways to support students who have problems with substance abuse. While some schools may have expulsion policies for students who are violent or engaging in illegal behavior it is important to note it is those students who also need additional attention and focus in case of suicide attempts.

Parent’s role

It is very important that parents are as attentive as they can be about their teen’s difficulties and keep communication lines open. It is normal that teens are more secretive as they often do not want to burden loved ones. Just keep making sure they know that they can share things and get support, not criticism and judgement. Not my kid is a great place to get help with this. Talk openly about suicide especially if someone in the family has done it or tried to. With training, parents can also help on hotlines for the community so you can help other teens too.

Peer’s role

When looking at youth suicide prevention peers have a crucial role to play. Many teens have reported that they would turn to a friend first about suicidal thoughts before they spoke to parents, teachers or anyone else. Together students can create peer groups, can train to be peer counsellors and support a friend by listening to them and encouraging them to seek help. Sometimes with friends, there is a thing where they might try to make you promise to not tell anyone but you should tell them that for their own wellbeing that is not a promise you can make. But even when you need to tell an adult you can continue to support them.

Crisis intervention

At school, it is important that there is a swift response to suicide or a major crisis to reduce the chance of other students also committing suicide too. Part of youth suicide prevention means having plans in writing that everyone knows that works at the school. Make sure all information that is available is collected by a designated person and they should meet with the staff to tell everyone at the same time the news. The staff should then inform each class and it is important the whole school hears it at the same time so the rumor mill and exaggerations do not take over. Then the teens should have a chance to talk about it and talk to crisis counsellors if they to. During these times a school should make sure they have extra support from counsellors for students and for staff too. If students seem very affected by the crisis then it may be that talking to the parents is needed and possibly even a mental health reverral.