Suicide prevention and response
Suicide can be a complex and confronting topic to talk about. However, educators can play a role in preventing suicide by looking out for possible warning signs, reaching out and having sensitive conversations.
If a suicide occurs, a coordinated and informed response can help schools address students and staff needs. This includes providing support, aiding recovery and reducing the risk of further suicides.
These Fact Sheets can provide guidance on some key considerations in suicide prevention and response.
Creating a Safety Plan
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A Safety Plan is an intervention designed to prevent suicide.
Responding after a suicide attempt
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A suicide attempt by a young person can have a significant impact on a school community, causing distress and anxiety for their pe...
Suicide - How prepared is your school
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When a suicide occurs in a school community it’s important to have a coordinated and planned response.
Risk Assessment
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A risk assessment is a direct conversation with a young person about their suicidal thoughts, plans and intent.
Boarding schools - What to do after a suicide
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Suicide can be a traumatic event for any learning community, but the effects can be particularly significant at boarding schools w...
Funerals and memorials
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School leaders or the Emergency Response Team need to ensure all communication with the bereaved family is respectful and compassi...
How Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people might respond to suicide
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Grief following a suicide can be particularly hard. It can last for months, sometimes years. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isla...
Managing language and consent about using the word suicide
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Schools are sometimes unable to refer to a death as ‘suicide’. It’s important to respect coronial processes and the wishes of the ...
Media and social media
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Youth suicide can attract media and social media attention, especially if there’s been more than one suicide at a learning communi...
Remembering a young person
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities hold well-established cultural beliefs, protocols, customs and practices in rela...
Self-care for school staff working
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Working in remote areas may include living and working in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community. Aboriginal and Torres...
Speaking with the bereaved family after a suicide
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Speaking with a family bereaved by suicide requires sensitivity and compassion.
Staff grief after a suicide
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The suicide of a young person or colleague can be a traumatic experience and have a profound emotional effect on school staff.
Suicide contagion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
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School leaders or the Emergency Response Team need to ensure all communication with the bereaved family is respectful and compassi...
Suicide in schools - Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
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You might have heard a suicide has occurred at your young one’s school.
Suicide in schools - Information for families
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Exposure to suicide can be a traumatic experience. It can have a profound emotional effect not only on family and friends, but on ...
Supporting young people after a suicide
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When a suicide occurs, the effect on families, young people and communities is immediate and traumatic.
Understanding suicide - Information for the community
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Exposure to suicide can be a traumatic experience. It can have a profound emotional effect not only on family and friends of the y...