NEBRASKA: New state law requires more suicide prevention training in schools
September 25, 2015
For the first time, all public school teachers in Nebraska will be required this year to undergo an hour of suicide prevention training. Using a virtual training program by Kognito, educators will observe and practice techniques for responding to students who may need help. “The program gives them some information about how the student might react to that, whether their response was effective, or whether there was another choice that might have been more effective for them,” said Kim Bodensteiner, executive director for teaching and learning at Bellevue Public Schools. The Bellevue district, which lost three students to suicide during the 2014-15 school year, is voluntarily expanding the program to include all school personnel, not just teachers and administrators. “The importance [of] working in a school district is we have so many staff members who have, what I call, foster relationships with students,” said Kevin Mills, the district’s student services coordinator.
Spark Extra! Download SPRC’s information sheet on The Role of High School Teachers in Preventing Suicide for an overview, tips, and resources