Teen Suicide Prevention: Teachers and Educators

Suicide Prevention By Lisa Firestone, Ph.D.

The Role of Teachers in Preventing Suicide

As a teacher you are in the position to reach out to student at risk for suicide Youth suicides, or suicide attempts, rarely take place in schools, but many young people who are at risk of suicide attend school and exhibit warning signs.  When teachers recognize theses signs and take action they can prevent death or injury and reduce emotional suffering.

If you are concerned about a student you should not hesitate to contact the counseling and student support specialists at your school (school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses)

Resources exist to help school personnel concerned about youth at risk for suicide. Here is a list of resources for dealing with suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention (sometimes referred to as “aftermath”).

This website has helpful resources for teachers and educators

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of immediate help, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
This is a free hotline available 24 hours a day to anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

International readers can click here for a list of helplines and crisis centers around the world.

PsychAlive’s Suicide Prevention Advice
The Glendon Association “Save a Life” Brochure
Dr. Lisa Firestone’s “The Warning Signs of Suicide” &“Suicide: How You Can Help Someone at Risk”
TeenSuicide.us – “Teen Suicide Warning Signs” &”Teenage Suicide Prevention”
HealthyPlace.com “Suicide and Teenagers” &”Teen Depression: What Parents Need to Know”

“Teens Under Pressure”

Dr.Phil recently aired a show on teen suicide prevention in which PsychAlive’s Dr. Lisa Firestone discussed the many ways we can all reach out to our youth and help prevent suicide. The full episode, “Teens Under Pressure,” is now available to view online. Click here to tune in for free

These clips are from the documentary Understanding and Preventing Suicide produced by The Glendon Association. You can order the full version of this film on DVD by clicking HERE.

American Academy of Pediatrics – Preventing Teen Suicide
American Academy of Pediatrics – Depression and Suicide
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
American Psychological Association – Teen Suicide is Preventable
American Association of Suicidology
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Teen Suicide Prevention Campaign
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The Jed Foundation
Click here to locate a therapist in your area

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About the Author

Lisa Firestone, Ph.D. Dr. Lisa Firestone is the Director of Research and Education at The Glendon Association. An accomplished and much requested lecturer, Dr. Firestone speaks at national and international conferences in the areas of couple relations, parenting, and suicide and violence prevention. Dr. Firestone has published numerous professional articles, and most recently was the co-author of Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships (APA Books, 2006), Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice (New Harbinger, 2002), Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: The Wisdom of Psychotherapy (APA Books, 2003) and The Self Under Siege (Routledge, 2012). Follow Dr. Firestone on Twitter or Google.

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