(6/22/2012)

SAMHSA has released Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools. This toolkit represents the best available evidence and expert opinion on preventing suicide among high school students. It provides schools with recommended steps and accompanying tools to guide them in creating and implementing strategies and programs that prevent teen suicide and promote behavioral health among their students.

Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools will help schools and their partners:

• Assess their ability to prevent suicide among students and respond to suicides that may occur.
• Understand strategies that can help students who are at risk for suicide.
• Understand how to respond to the suicide of a student or other member of the school community.
• Identify suicide prevention programs and activities that are effective for the needs of individual schools.
• Respond to the needs and cultures of each school's students.
• Integrate suicide prevention into activities that fulfill other aspects of the school's mission such as preventing the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Read "SAMHSA Launches New Toolkit on Suicide Prevention in High Schools" on the SAMHSA Blog to learn more.

Download Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools Now

It's important to understand the impact suicide can have on both a school and the community. While communities can provide immeasurable support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available to provide 24-hour, toll-free, confidential crisis counseling. If you or someone you know is in an emotional distress or suicidal crisis, please call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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