We realize that sometimes information is needed immediately, particularly in the situation of school crises. That's why MHRBWCC, in collaboration with Solutions Community Counseling & Recovery Centers  and the Warren County School Crisis Team, created an on-demand presentation so that school personnel can get information 24 hours day, seven days a week.   

This presentation:

• Defines School Crises and their potential impact of students.
• Outlines some key variables to consider which will fundamentally guide your decision-making and response when faced with a school crisis
• Introduces some key contacts in Warren County who can assist with crisis response
• Describes resources available to assist schools:
  • Development of crisis policies
  • Assessment of High risk students
  • Responding in the aftermath of a crisis

Webinar: Warren County School Crisis Response

Additional Resources

Guide Books for the development of a School Crisis Protocol:

School Crisis Guide: Help and Healing in a Time of Crisis (Developed by the National Education Association)

Responding to Crisis at a School Developed by the Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA

Websites:

National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, USC School of Social Work

National Association for School Psychologists, School Safety and Crisis Resources

 Tip Sheet:

A Checklist for School Personnel to Evaluate and Implement the Mental Health Component of Your School Crisis and Emergency Plan (Developed by the National Child Trauma Stress Network)

Dealing with Suicide in Schools: Prevention, Intervention and Postvention - A Model Protocol 

The model protocol document is posted in Microsoft Word format so that each school district may edit and customize as they see fit. This allows district leaders to make changes as needed for specifications on time frames, staffing, and added procedures. A PDF version is also posted.       

The protocol's Appendix includes many resource sheets which can be used by school staff as well as provided to parents.  For easy access, these resource sheets can also be downloaded individually from the website. 

NOTE:  It is recommended, as with any policy and procedure, to have a legal review prior to implementation.

• Introductory Letter
• A Model Protocol - Microsoft Word Format  
• A Model Protocol - PDF Format  

Handouts for School Staff and/or Parents 

The resources in this section are incorporated into the Appendix of the of the Model Protocol; however, they are accessible individually here for your convenience.

• Suicide Facts & Warning Signs
• Risk Assessment Referral Form
• Creating a Safety Plan:  Reducing the Risk of Suicide

Approaches with Suicidal Students -

1. General Guidelines for all school staff
2. General Guidelines for counselors, school psychologists, administrators or Community Resource Coordinators 

• School Reentry for a Student who has attempted suicide or made serious suicidal threats 
• Sample Announcements for Students after a Suicide Death
• Sample Notifications for Parents after a Suicide Death
• Responding to the Media                                          
• Local Referral Sources
• Recommended Reading List

Suicide and Depression Screening Tools

• Suicide Risk Questionnaire
• The Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS) Youth Version      
• Pediatric Symptom Checklist
• Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for  Children (CES-DC)
• Patient Health Questionnaire -9  

Other Resources

• Awareness Day video - resource on how schools can work with youth and family leaders to ensure access to mental health services and support
• “Guidelines for Responding to the Death of a Student or School Staff” published by the National Center for School Crisis & Bereavement.
• “School-Based Youth Suicide Prevention Guide” published by the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida, also available at TheGuide.FMHI.USF.edu
• “After a Loved One Dies – How Children Grieve” written by David J. Schonfeld, MD, and Marcia Quackenbush, MS, MFT, CHES and published by the New York Life Foundation.

              1.  English version
              2.  Espanol version 

• "After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools"  by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• "Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High School"