b'Staff Professional Development All staff shall receive, at minimum, annual professional development on risk factors, warning signs, protective factors, response procedures, referrals, postvention, and resources regarding youth suicide prevention. Theprofessional development shall include additional information regarding groups of students at elevated riskfor suicide, including those living with mental and/or substance use disorders, those who engage in self-harmor have attempted suicide, those in out-of-home settings (e.g., youth in foster care, group homes, incarceratedyouth), those experiencing homelessness, American Indian/Alaska Native students, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning) students, students bereaved by suicide, and those with medicalconditions or certain types of disabilities. Additional professional development in risk assessment and crisis intervention shall be provided to school-employed mental health professionals and school nurses.Youth Suicide Prevention Programming Developmentally appropriate, student-centered education materials shall be integrated into the curriculum of all K-12 health classes and other classes as appropriate. The content of these age-appropriate materials shall include the importance of safe and healthy choices and coping strategies focused on resiliency building, and how to recognize risk factors and warning signs of mental health conditions and suicide in oneself and others. The content shall also include help-seeking strategies for oneself or others and how to engage school resources and refer friends for help. In addition, schools shall provide supplemental small-group suicide prevention programming for students. It is not recommended to deliver any programming related to suicide prevention to a large group in an auditorium setting. Publication and Distribution This policy shall be distributed annually and be included in all student and teacher handbooks, and on the school website. All school personnel are expected to know and be accountable for following all policies and procedures regarding suicide prevention.Intervention Assessment and ReferralWhen a student is identified by a peer, educator or other source as potentially suicidali.e., verbalizes thoughtsabout suicide, presents overt risk factors such as agitation or intoxication, an act of self-harm occurs, or expressesor otherwise shows signs of suicidal ideationthe student shall be seen by a school-employed mental healthprofessional, such as a school psychologist, school counselor, school social worker, within the same school dayto assess risk and facilitate referral if necessary. Educators shall also be aware of written threats and expressionsabout suicide and death in school assignments. Such incidences require immediate referral to the appropriateschool-employed mental health professional. If there is no mental health professional available, a designated staff member (e.g., school nurse or administrator) shall address the situation according to district protocol until a mental health professional is brought in.Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention | Model Language, Commentary, and Resources 6'