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SPS Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Postvention

Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

At Seattle Public School District, your well-being matters. We know that students and families face real challenges, and no one should have to navigate them alone.

We are committed to creating schools where students feel safe, connected, and supported. We teach and promote healthy coping skills, train staff to recognize warning signs, follow clear procedures when a student may be at risk, and partner closely with families and community providers to ensure students receive the care they need.

If you are worried about yourself or someone else, please reach out. Help is available, and you are not alone.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger:

  • Call 911
  • Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
  • Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
  • Go to the nearest emergency room

These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

If you know someone who might be suicidal

If you know Someone who might be suicidal, here are some Do’s and Don’ts that can help:

Do:

  • Tell an adult, Immediately. Even if you are not sure your friend is suicidal, this is definitely the time to be safe and not sorry! Talk to:
    • a parent/caregiver.
    • your friend’s parent/caregiver.
    • a trusted adult at school (teacher, school counselor, social worker, nurse principal, etc).
    • a trusted adult in the community (School Mental Health Clinic staff, coach, neighbor, etc.).
  • Be direct. Talk openly about suicide, you will not be “putting ideas in their heads.”
  • Listen. Allow them to express their feelings.
  • Be non-judgmental.
  • Get involved. Show support.
  • Encourage them to get help.
  • Offer hope. Tell them you care about them.
  • Know that keeping your friend alive is a team effort; that’s why it is important not to keep this a secret.

Don’t:

  • Be sworn to secrecy. Make no deals. You have to tell to save your friend.
  • Dare them to do it.
  • Act shocked. This might make them feel bad.
  • Leave them alone.
  • Minimize their problems.
If you are in a crisis or thinking about suicide

If you are in a crisis or thinking about suicide, there is help. You are not alone. Here are some Do’s and Don’t that can help:

DO:

  • Tell an adult, Immediately.
    • Talk to your parent/caregiver.
    • Tell a trusted adult at school (teacher, school counselor, social worker, nurse, principal, etc.)
    • Tell a trusted adult in the community (pastor, coach, neighbor, etc.).
  • Seek help from the nearest Wellness Center/School Mental Health Clinic.
  • Speak honestly about your thoughts and feelings; it can save your life.
  • Know you can overcome this feeling.
  • Know that you are not alone.

Don’t:

  • Keep this a secret.
  • Be afraid to ask for help.
  • Turn down help from an adult, instead allow others to show that they care.
  • Isolate yourself.
Resources for Youth

If you need IMMEDIATE help, call 911.

Community Hotlines:

  • National Suicide and Crisis Hotline – 988
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800-273-TALK (8255) (24 Hours)
  • Trevor Lifeline – 866-488-7386 (24 Hours) – Text 678-678
  • Teen Line – 800-852-8336 (6-10 p.m. Daily)
  • Crisis Connections – 206-461-3222 (24 Hours)

Text and Chat Resources:

  • Crisis Text Line – Free, 24/7, Confidential
  • Text  HOME   to  741741
  • Crisis Chat (11am-11 p.m., daily)
  • Teen Line – text  TEEN  to 839863 (6-10 p.m.)

Online Resources:

Smartphone Apps:

Grief and Loss Resources

Crisis Connections (f.k.a. Crisis Clinic) 206-461-3210 CC Cares program provides support to families after suicide loss. Also provides support to teens through TeenLink and various crisis lines

Forefront Suicide Prevention 206-543-1016 Offers support for persons affected by suicide.

The Healing Center 206-523-1206 Provides a safe environment for people to move through their grief. Support groups for widowed men and women, teens and children; individual counseling and family support.

Safe Crossings Program & Camp Erin – King County 206-320-4000 Free grief support for youth within individualized and school settings.

Parent/Guardian Resources

Supporting Youth at Home: Youth Mental Health and Suicide Promotion

UW Forefront: Resources for Families

Safe Storage Resources: Lock it Up Promoting the Safe Storage of Firearms

Forefront Suicide Prevention: 3 Ways to Make Your Home Safer

Postvention

After A Suicide Toolkit

Suicide Postvention Guide for Schools