Suicide Awareness: Updated Information on Prevention, Assessment, and Postvention in the Schools

This workshop provides critical updated information on suicide awareness in the school setting, with review of key prevention strategies and the four evidence-based components of an effective school-based suicide risk assessment. Integrated in this process will be updated information about risk and protective factors overall as well as with the most vulnerable student populations, including LGBT+ and Black youth. Strategies for shifting risk assessment results into proactive supports as well as shifting postvention into prevention also will be included.

• Identify at least two critical differences related to suicide prevention and/or risk assessment in a highly vulnerable student population.
• List the four critical areas of suicide risk assessment, with examples of how to assess each area.
• Describe at least two suicide postvention approaches that target prevention of further suicides.

Paula McCall, PhD, JD