Suicide Prevention & Safety

I.    Purpose
 
Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) supports any and all efforts for staff to intervene, support, and refer students to appropriate resources and help when a student has been identified as at risk for suicide.
 
II.   Policy
 
MSD employees who are certificated and have direct contact with students shall complete annual training on student suicide risk, inclusive of understanding signs of suicide risk, appropriate responses, and identifying professional resources to help students in crisis.
 
III.  Procedures
 
A.   Suicide Ideation/Threat
    • Suicidal ideation is a common term for thoughts about suicide, which may be detailed as a formulated plan, without the suicidal act itself. Staff members have a duty to utilize reasonable means to prevent a suicide. When a staff member becomes aware of a threat or recognizes risk factors, whether directly from the student or from other sources, the staff member is REQUIRED to immediately notify the Chief Educational Programs Officer. The Chief Educational Programs Officer then notifies the Director of Mental Health/mental health provider designee who will then notify the parents/guardians of the threat, even if the student denies the intention. 
      1. If the individual is a student, a staff member will escort the student to the mental health service provider (i.e. school psychologist, school counselor, social worker, etc.) immediately for assessment of lethality and for crisis counseling. If a counselor, psychologist, or social worker is not in the building, the Chief Educational Programs Officer/designee will make an assessment of lethality in consultation by telephone with a counselor, psychologist, or social worker. If the conclusion of the assessment is that the student is potentially suicidal, a staff member shall remain with the student until the family or other appropriate person or agency takes the student into custody. If it is determined that the student is not suicidal, the mental health service team provider will determine appropriate actions for the release of the student at the end of the school day.
      2. The mental health service provider will immediately convey the concern to the parents/guardians of the potentially suicidal student and will also complete the Report of Suicide, Homicide, Self-Injury Intent or Attempt Form.
      3. If the individual is a staff member, the spouse, adult child, or other family members are to be contacted. Another staff member should remain with the person until a family member arrives. The supervisor or school administrator must be notified immediately.
      4. Any student returning to school who has been assisted by the above procedures will have a reentry meeting to include the following individuals: student, parents/guardians, administrator, and mental health service provider to determine if additional support is needed or if a modification in the program is to be made.
        • Note: Students may not be excluded from school while awaiting a physician's letter or release.
      5. 911 MUST be called if no responsible adult can be reached to seek appropriate treatment for the individual, adult or child, making the suicidal threat or gesture.
B.   Professional Development
 
All certificated school personnel who have direct contact with students on a regular basis are required to complete training annually to understand and respond to youth suicide risk and identify professional resources to help students in crisis.
 
V.    Legal Reference
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE HISTORY
  • Reviewed: November 2022
  • Adopted: December 9, 2022
  • Revised: N/A