b'Does the student experience suicidal ideation primarily outside of school? (If so, this would indicate that school is likely a safe space for the student) In instances where a student is deemed suicidal but not taken for assessment by their parent or guardian, personnel should follow state/district legal or policy requirements to ensure student safety with consideration for referral to Child Protective Services for medical neglect. Relevant State LawsThe following types of state laws can enhance a schools ability to effectively identify, intervene with, and support students at-risk for suicidal behavior.Mandate Suicide Prevention Training for School PersonnelTraining mandates help to ensure that all school staff members understand suicide risk and the referral processand have the skills and confidence to act when they suspect a student may be suicidal. Ideally, those mandateswill apply to all school personnel who interact directly with students, not just licensed staff.Stronger statelaws specify how much training is required and how often that training must occur (e.g., two hours, annually). Typically, states allow suicide prevention training hours to count toward any existing professional developmentor continuing education requirements for certification or licensure.Mandate School Policies in Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and PostventionMany states are now requiring school districts to create and implement a policy or protocol on suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, to support existing mandates for school personnel training. Many also require the state department of education (or similar lead agency) to develop a model policy to assist school districts and to set minimum content requirements for district policies. This Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention can be an ideal starting point for implementation of these laws.Allow Youth Access to Mental Health Care Some states require youth under age 18 to receive parental permission before seeking mental health care, while others limit mental health confidentiality, which can be an especially damaging problem for LGBTQ youth.Minor assent laws, which allow for those under the age of 18 to seek needed medical, mental health, and substance abuse care without parental consent, are imperative. Ensure Anti-Bullying and Nondiscrimination PoliciesWhile the majority of states have adopted some form of state-level anti-bullying and anti-harassment legislation, not all states specifically prohibit bullying and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Visit stopbullying.gov/laws to find your states current anti-bullying law and/or policy.Eliminate Laws that Stigmatize, Isolate, or Allow for Criminalization of LGBTQ Youth Typically referred to as No Promo Homo or Dont Say Gay laws, these policies ban educators from talking about LGBTQ people, issues or history, or only allow negative discussion. These laws keep supportive teachersModel School District Policy on Suicide Prevention | Model Language, Commentary, and Resources 22'