Developing a Comprehensive School Suicide Prevention Program

Abstract

Suicide is the third most common cause of death for youth aged 14–19. School counselors need a school-wide prevention plan to address the mental and emotional needs of students experiencing suicidal ideation and behaviors. Although researchers have suggested that suicide prevention programming and suicide screening programs lower the rate of adolescent deaths, a paucity of evidence-based, school-wide, comprehensive suicide prevention programs exists. Therefore, to fill a gap in research and training resources, we propose four different types of research-supported suicide prevention programs. We also propose a common standard for the development of an effective, comprehensive school suicide prevention program using a five-step process and frame these approaches within the American School Counselor Association National Model.