Suicide Awareness

Suicide Awareness

As suicide is the third leading cause of death nationwide among young people ages 10-19 and is the ninth leading cause of death in North Dakota (CDC, 2019), it is critically important that procedures are in place to prevent, assess the risk of, intervene in, and respond to youth suicidal behavior. 

Protecting the health and well-being of students is aligned with DPS school policy and is an ethical imperative for all professionals working with youth. Because it is impossible to predict when a crisis will occur, preparedness is necessary for every school. In a typical high school, it is estimated that three students will attempt suicide each year. On average, a young person dies by suicide every two hours in the US. For every young person who dies by suicide, an estimated 100-200 youth make suicide attempts. 

Youth suicide is preventable, and educators and schools are key to prevention. As emphasized in the National Strategy on Suicide Prevention, preventing suicide depends on suicide prevention procedures and a holistic approach that promotes healthy lifestyles, families, and communities. Thus, this handbook is intended to be paired with other policies and efforts that support youth's emotional and behavioral well-being. Please refer to the included Resources Section for additional information.