Suicide Awareness, Training and Prevention, Policy No. 493

Printable PDF Board Policy 493

PURPOSE: Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people.  The health and well-being of students is of utmost importance to Moore Norman Technology Center, and the technology center is committed to actively preventing suicide through awareness, effective training, outreach, and prevention. This policy outlines strategies, procedures, and resources for preventing suicide, identifying potentially suicidal students and high-risk behavior, as well as intervention and postvention mechanisms.

SCOPE: This policy is applicable to actions that occur in technology center buildings, premises, or property, including vehicles, at technology center-sponsored functions and activities, and governs the entire technology center community, including, but not limited to, staff, students, parents and guardians, and volunteers.

SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING: The technology center shall provide training to all staff members in their first year employed by the technology center, and then no less than once every fifth academic year, addressing suicide awareness and prevention. The training will include evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention or curriculum made available or approved by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, including how to recognize changes in behavior that may be indicative of distress, how to approach students to discuss concerns, and how to refer a parent or student to appropriate resources.  

PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION: The course outline for the training curriculum shall be made available on the technology center’s website.

NOTIFYING PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS: Teachers, counselors, principals, administrators, and other technology center personnel, upon determining a student is at risk for attempting suicide, shall notify the parents or legal guardians of the student immediately upon determining such risk exists.

IMMUNITY FROM EMPLOYMENT DISCIPLINE AND CIVIL LIABILITY: Teachers, counselors, principals, administrators, and other technology center personnel shall be immune from employment discipline and any civil liability with respect to the following actions:

1.      Calling 911, law enforcement, or the Department of Human Services if they believe a student poses a threat to themselves or others or if a student has committed or been the victim of a violent act or threat of a violent act;

2.      Providing referral, emergency medical care or other assistance offered in good faith to a student or other youth; or

3.      Communicating information in good faith concerning drug or alcohol abuse or potential safety threat by or to any student to the parents or legal guardians of the student, law enforcement officers or health care providers.

NO SPECIFIC DUTY OF CARE OR CAUSE OF ACTION: The training required by this policy, or lack thereof, shall not be construed to impose any specific duty of care. No person shall have a cause of action for any loss or damage caused by any act or omission resulting from the implementation of this policy or resulting from any training, or lack thereof, required by this policy, unless the loss or damage was caused by willful or wanton misconduct.

Community Intervention and Prevention Services: The technology center may enter into agreements with designated Youth Services Agencies for the provision of intervention and prevention services. 

Reference: OKLA. STAT. tit. 70, § 24-100.7

Revised: September 17, 2024