New York, NY, and Newton, MA: April 20, 2011 –A new, free resource, After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools is available to help schools cope in the aftermath of a suicide. The guide was created by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), two of the nation’s leading organizations devoted to suicide prevention.

 

“Suicide can leave a school struggling with tremendous uncertainty about what to do next,” said Joanne Harpel, AFSP’s senior director for public affairs and postvention. “We also know that schools worry about the possibility of further suicides. This toolkit will answer frequently asked questions and help put school personnel at ease.”

 

Developed by a team of national experts, including clinicians and crisis response professionals, the online toolkit draws on scientific research and best practices. It includes common warning signs and causes of suicide and emphasizes that schools should inform students about the connection between suicide and underlying disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. It recommends that administrators remind the community about available mental health resources, including hotline numbers and local counseling services. 

 

“Our toolkit also advises schools to treat all student deaths in the same manner, and not to inadvertently romanticize suicide,” said Peggy West of Education Development Center, Inc., a senior advisor for SPRC. “This is especially important as school communities consider how to handle events such as memorial services and graduation, and student activities such as the yearbook.” 

 

Other toolkit recommendations include talking with students in small groups to help them manage their emotional responses and monitoring social media to help identify other students who may be at risk.

 

We believe the Toolkit reflects the very best and most current thinking in the field and will be an invaluable – and practical -- resource for schools.  It is available as a free download from http://www.sprc.org/AfteraSuicideforSchools.asp or from www.afsp.org/schools.

 

Please help us disseminate this far and wide.

 

With gratitude for your help – Best,

Peggy West PhD MSW, Senior Advisor

Suicide Prevention Resource Center SPRC

Education Development Center

55 Chapel St

Newton, MA 02458

www.sprc.org ; 206 362-2179 ; pwest@edc.org

 

 

Run time 17 min, cost in DVD $89.

It was directed by Joel Schumacher and was written by 18-year old Treviny Marie Colon from the Bronx.

 

“Jason Gutierrez is a Puerto Rican from New York City and the quintessential all-American guy. Status comes at a price as rumors spread that Jason is gay. With his identity questioned, Jason is pushed to understand who he is and prove how far he will go to prove that he's just “one of the boys.”Man in the Mirror examines stereotypes, sexual orientation, homophobia and bullying.”

 

Watch a preview, print a free lesson plan to use with it, and learn more about the film here: http://www.scenariosusa.org/watchfilms/films/2011/01/man_in_the_mirror.html

 

Scenarios USA also has two other new films that examine stereotypical gender norms: Life’s Poison and A Man Made Early.

 

-- Beth Reis, Co-chair, Safe Schools Coalition

 

 

Go to http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/blackboard-people.html to find resources for: