Document the Foundations of a School Suicide Prevention Program
Suicide Prevention
Since 2000, the only high school in a wealthy, suburban, majority white, community with a population of less than 50,000 has lost 15 current or recent graduates to suicide. In addition, the community has experienced at least three suicide clusters. Mueller (2017) examined the role of the media, and her results have found that media stories are both producers and products of local culture. Additionally, she found that mental health problems were often hidden and seen as shameful. She concluded that the media was able to craft the story about why youth die by suicide in a direction that suited it. The media emphasized academic pressure as a motive for suicide, while at the same time downplaying other competing explanations for suicide, such as depression. The result of this was to strengthen the link of escaping the pressure of the community and suicide.
Rezaeian (2012) focuses his discussion on the two general types of suicide clusters proposed by Joiner (1999). The first is point clusters while the second is mass clusters. Point clusters are localized and involve cases that are clustered in both space and time within institutional settings such as schools or hospitals. Mass clusters fall under the influence of the media and occur following the publicizing of a fictional or actual suicide. The author reviews cluster prevention programs and concludes that the focus should be on identifying high-risk individuals such as close friends. Other high-risk individuals include those with previous history of suicide attempt, drug or alcohol abuse, and/or psychiatric problems. The focus should lead to direct preventive services to those susceptible individuals.
Robertson, et al. (2012) studied suicide clusters in New Zealand and determined that electronic communications technology played in a role in spreading information about the suicides throughout the community. The activity focused on people wanting to acknowledge the loss of a life. Because adolescents use social networking sites as well and text messaging to exchange information about the suicides with their peers, news of each death spread quickly and extended far beyond each school that was directly affected. Students would find out about a suicide before schools were able to initiate any intervention. This would result in rumors and speculation regarding the suicides. The rumors contributed to speculation as to the number of completed suicides, the methods that had been used, and the possibility of a suicide pact. This increased the number of posts and messages, which resulted in increased anxiety.
References
Joiner, T. E., Jr. (1999). The clustering and contagion of suicide. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 8(3), 89–92.
Mueller, A. S. (2017, May). Does the media matter to suicide? Examining the social dynamics surrounding media reporting on suicide in a suicide-prone community. Social Science & Medicine, 180, 152-159.
Rezaeian, M. (2012). Suicide clusters: Introducing a novel type of categorization. Violence and Victims, 27(1), 125-132.
Robertson, L., Skegg, K., Poore, M., Williams, S., & Taylor, B. (2012). An adolescent suicide cluster and the possible role of electronic communication technology. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 33(4), 239-245.
Signature Assignment: Document the Foundations of a School Suicide Prevention Program
Scenario
Following the tragic suicide of a student, a rural school has asked for your assistance in developing interventions to prevent copycat suicides. You are concerned that focusing too much on the incident could inadvertently increase the risk of a contagion effect. To avoid this, you must research available information on copycat or cluster suicides.
Instructions
Compile a comprehensive report addressing the following components:
1. Research Summary and Guidelines:
Provide a summary of the research on the potential for suicide contagion to ensure that nothing the school does contributes to a suicide cluster.
Include a list of specific dos and don’ts for the school based on this research.
Emphasize evidence-based practices and ensure that each recommendation is directly tied to the research you’ve reviewed.
2. Press Release:
Draft a press release that carefully avoids any language or statements that might inadvertently encourage suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
3. Parent Letter:
Write a letter to the parents that includes:
An overview of the school’s concerns.
Information on suicide risk factors.
Suggested conversations parents can have with their children regarding this sensitive issue.
4. Student Outreach Plan:
Develop a strategy to encourage students who are feeling concerned or at risk to seek help. This could take the form of a poster, handout, or public announcement.
References: Support your assignment with at least five peer-reviewed articles. In addition to these specified resources, other appropriate scholarly resources may be included. Credible websites such as .org, .mil, .gov, and .edu are acceptable, however, cannot serve as primary sources to support this assignment.
Length: The total length of the report should be 10-12 pages, not including title and reference pages.
Your assignment should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.
