The Role of Teachers in School-Based Suicide Prevention: A Qualitative Study of School Staff Perspectives

• Published in: School mental health Vol. 3; no. 4; pp. 209 - 221
• Main Authors: Nadeem, Erum, Kataoka, Sheryl H., Chang, Vickie Y., Vona, Pamela, Wong, Marleen, Stein, Bradley D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.12.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: At risk students; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Crises; Crisis intervention; Developmental Psychology; Disease control; Disease prevention; Education; Health services; Mental health; Mental health care; Middle School Teachers; Middle schools; Original Paper; Prevention; Prevention programs; Psychology; Public health; Responses; Risk factors; School districts; Social support; Social workers; Student Behavior; Student teacher relationship; Suicidal behavior; Suicide; Suicides & suicide attempts; Teachers; Urban Schools; United States > US; Suicide prevention; School mental health; Teachers
• ISSN: 1866-2625; 1866-2633
• DOI: 10.1007/s12310-011-9056-7

In response to concerns over youth suicide, there has been an increase in school-based suicide prevention programs. However, we know little about teacher perspectives on school-based suicide prevention and mental health programs. This study examined teacher roles in the implementation of a district-wide suicide prevention program through focus groups and interviews with middle school teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. Study results highlighted teachers’ critical role in detecting students at risk for suicide. Factors that appeared to facilitate teacher participation in the suicide prevention program included well-defined crisis policies and procedures, communication of these procedures, collaboration across staff, and the presence of on-campus mental health resources. Participants identified a need for direct teacher training on risk factors for suicide, crisis response, and classroom management. Other strategies for improving suicide prevention efforts included in-school trainings on mental health resources and procedures, regular updates to these trainings, and greater visibility of mental health staff.