The Board recognizes that suicide is one of the leading causes of death for Florida's youth. The Statewide strategy for suicide prevention includes school intervention since schools, in partnership with families and communities, are in a position to identify youth at risk of suicide. Pursuant to State law, the Board will provide access to suicide prevention educational resources, as approved by the Florida Office of Suicide Prevention, to all instructional and administrative staff as part of the Board's professional development program. The Board's student services staff will be responsible for providing suicide prevention and awareness training and resources to students and staff.

All school personnel should be alert to signs of suicide ideation, that is, the process of fantasizing, planning, practicing, and motivating oneself to commit suicide, and to students threaten or attempt suicide. Any such signs or the report of such signs from another student or staff member should be taken with the utmost seriousness.

The Superintendent shall develop and implement administrative procedures whereby members of the student services staff, administration, and instructional staff understand how to use an intervention procedure which includes the following:

Throughout any intervention, it is essential that Board policies and procedures regarding confidentiality be observed at all times.

F.S. 14.2019, 14.20195, 1001.42(6), 1006.07(7), 1012.01(2)(b)

Adopted 5/3/11