Student Education

Student education for suicide prevention informs students about suicide and aids in identifying and supporting at-risk students. There has been significant research regarding effectiveness of suicide prevention education for students. Development and/or selection of curriculum should take into account each individual school’s needs, population, and requirements.  This page includes information about best practices for student education and links to effective models and other resources.

There are several best-practices which have been identified to improve outcomes and effectiveness of suicide prevention education programs for students. These best practices include…

• Utilizing a mental health model rather than a stress model
  • A mental health model allows for the complexities of what prompts suicidal ideation and behavior, whereas a stress model explains suicidal ideation and behavior as a normal response to stress, therefore destigmatizing suicide and potentially increasing risk of suicide.
• Taught over multiple sessions​
  • Single-session curriculum has been shown to be harmful
• Linking suicide prevention education with education on substance use, mental health, bullying, racism, and marginalization
• Inclusion of the following information:

• • Warning signs and risk factors
  • Protective factors
  • Statistics
  • Dispelling myths​
  • Resources in the community​
  • Help-seeking strategies ​