An Overview of the School-Based Prevention of Adolescent Suicide

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the options available to school special services personnel in preventing suicide in the secondary schools. A model curriculum based primary prevention program is described, after a discussion of barriers to prevention activities. Secondary prevention activities outlined include direct counseling approaches and peer counseling activities. Counseling strategies include identifying children at risk, and evaluating the suicidal individual. There is little in the literature on the school prevention of suicide but directions for future research are offered.