CALIFORNIA: Under State Mandate, Glendale Unified Adopts Policy on Suicide Prevention

Los Angeles Times

The Glendale Unified school district has adopted a suicide prevention policy requiring all secondary teachers to receive training in suicide awareness in the new school year. It was drafted in response to the new state law mandating that all California school districts develop suicide prevention policies for students in grades 7 to 12. The Glendale Unified policy calls for the development of a suicide prevention training video and book of guidelines and procedures, and the establishment of crisis teams in each school. Teacher training materials will have a particular focus on addressing the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students, and those struggling with mental disabilities or homelessness. “We’re not expecting our teachers to come out of the training as trained clinicians but [knowing] that they can have an important impact in students’ lives,” said Karen Carlson, district coordinator of mental health services.

Spark Extra! Check out The Trevor Project Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention.