Suicide Prevention Laws For Schools: What K-12 Schools Must Do

Are you doing enough to prevent student suicide? Discover what laws require and prohibit.

A recent CDC report revealed that emergency room visits resulting from suspected suicide attempts among girls 12 to 17 were 50.6% higher during several months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019. As students attend school this fall, the pandemic continues to affect them, their social lives, and their sense of well-being. You need to look carefully at strategies to address mental health issues.

Many schools have developed suicide prevention policies and programs. Many states have requirements that schools train staff members about various resources available regarding suicide prevention. It is critical to identify and address the legal issues within your suicide prevention program and ensure you are fulfilling the duties for schools defined by such laws.

• What obligations do you have to accommodate students with mental illnesses?
• What duties do you have to protect students from self-injury?
• Are you required to warn others about a student’s risk of self-injury?
• What are the legal aspects of a suicide prevention program?
• How should you handle crisis situations?
• How do confidentiality laws cover mental health issues?