Exposure to Suicide
Research based estimates suggest that for each death by suicide 147 people are exposed and 18 of them experience a major life disruption. This is around 6.3 million people annually. One suicide in a community can result in suicide “contagion” where other students in the same community attempt suicide following the initial death. Exposure to a peer’s suicide has been found to be associated with suicidal ideation or behavior in adolescents that can persist for up to 2 years. Approximately 1–5% of teen suicides occur in a cluster after a youth dies by suicide (Gould & Lake, 2013.) Schools and communities need to be prepared to intervene and support other students following a completed suicide.
Resources
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Suicide Contagion and Clusters—Part 1: What School Psychologists Should Know
Communique Volume 47 number 5, National Association of School Psychologists January/February 2019.
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Suicide Contagion and Clusters—Part 2: What School Psychologists Should Do
NASP Communique articles on intervening concerning suicide clusters. February 2019
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Crisis Intervention Team Methods for Using data to Inform Practice, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration
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Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration
This toolkit provides detailed information on how schools can organize in the areas of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.
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Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices
This technical package by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention represents a select group of strategies based on the best available evidence to help communities and states sharpen their focus on prevention activities with the greatest potential to prevent suicide.
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Responsible Media Coverage of Suicide – Guidelines for media coverage including social media from Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
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How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family - from the US Department of Veterans Affairs
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After a suicide: Recommendations for religious services and other public memorial observances, Manual form the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.