Suicide Prevention Training 

SS 7.0

Suicide Prevention Training will take place once a year, between August and December, for all faculty and staff in each Archdiocesan school as a part of ongoing school safety planning.

Purpose:

• To raise awareness of the growing number of students/youth who complete suicide 

• To identify student groups most vulnerable to suicide 

• To recognize verbal, written and behavioral warnings of suicide 

• To ensure that appropriate steps are taken if warnings signs are observed in students/youth

Commentary/Procedural Points:

• Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States and in Maryland. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide continues to be the third leading cause of death for youth in the United States and in Maryland (MSDE)

• The results of the 2014 Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicate 12.7% of Maryland high school students reported making a plan to commit suicide in the past twelve months, and 15.9% seriously considered attempting suicide during the previous year. 

• The data demonstrate the importance of the statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program established in the Annotated Code of Maryland Education §7-503.

• Archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools faculty and staff who have attended a training by a representative from the MSDE or Archdiocese of Baltimore are qualified to train faculty and staff in each school.

References:

• Youth Suicide Prevention School Program (marylandpublicschools.org)

• Annotated Code of Maryland Education §7-504: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/Statute_Web/ged/7-504.pdf

December 2022