Suicide and Self-Injury in Schools: Interventions for School Mental Health Specialists

School mental health specialists understand suicide and self-injury among students is a significant and growing concern. This new reality will take a school-wide approach to suicide prevention where school mental health specialists develop and lead a school-wide culture of care. Featuring over 120 research-backed strategies, this book provides readerw with step-by-step approaches and a research-informed, practical strategy for how schools can develop and implement a systemic and realistic school-wide approach. All staff, teachers, students, and parents have a role to play in saving lives; suicide prevention truly becomes a shared responsibility in which this book can be a vital tool.

"Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24, accounting for 17% of all deaths in this age group. Yet completed suicides are just the tip of the iceberg. More than 5000 middle and high school students have a suicide attempt each day, and nearly one in five middle and high school students have seriously considered suicide in the past year. We do not fully understand how the pandemic has affected the long-term mental health and suicide rates of today's young people, yet all indications are that there will be multiple negative outcomes. It is within this context that the importance of the topic is situated, and readers are introduced to some of the key concepts and terminology regarding suicide"--