Policy

In addition to the requirements under AB2246, comprehensive suicide prevention board policies include a component on educating students and parents about available school and community resources to support students experiencing thoughts of suicide. Schools can increase help-seeking behavior in students by ensuring students are aware of the school mental health staff on campus. It is important that all school mental health staff members are trained to respond to students seeking support for themselves or a peer experiencing suicidal ideation.

Toolkits


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Teacher and Mental Health Professional Roles in Prevention
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Download School Mental Health Professional's PDF
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Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools
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After a Suicide:
A Toolkit for Schools
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Take the Video Tutorial
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Toolkit for Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention

This Toolkit, from the Health Care Alliance for Response to Adolescent Depression, assists schools with promoting mental health, intervening in a mental health crisis, and supporting members of a school community after a loss to suicide.

Policy Resources

The California Department of Education (CDE)

  • Model Youth Suicide Prevention Policy

    The CDE created a Model Youth Suicide Prevention Policy to assist school districts with meeting the conditions of AB2246 by developing their own board policy.

The Trevor Project

  • Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention

    The Trevor Project in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the American School Counselor Association created this national Model School District Policy for Suicide Prevention, with LGBTQ+ populations in mind to assist school administrators in developing their own board policy.

California Safe and Supportive Schools

Other Policy Resources

Suicide Prevention Resources

Maintaining a Positive School Climate

  • Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

    This is the Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. This website provides information for school districts on school climate and universal, targeted, and intensive behavioral supports for students.

Suicide Awareness Activities

  • Know the Signs

    Know the Signs is a California social marketing campaign emphasizing three key messages: “Know the signs. Find the words. Reach out.” This link takes you to resources and offers assistance to help increase knowledge of warning signs of suicide.

High School Clubs

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness On Campus (NAMI OC)

    The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a mental health organization focused on building better lives for those affected by mental illness. NAMI OC high school clubs are student-led clubs that raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma through peer-led education and campus activities.

Mental Health Awareness

  • Each Mind Matters

    Each Mind Matters is California’s mental health movement. This website includes resources and information to create your school’s campaign to raise awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental health disorders. This is important since many youth who experience suicidal thoughts also have a mental health issue.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Other Resources