Citation

Mirick RG, Berkowitz L, Bridger J, McCauley J. Sch. Soc. Work J. 2018; 43(1): 20-37.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Lyceum Books)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Adolescent suicide rates are rising, particularly for adolescent girls, and increasing numbers of adolescents experience the suicide of a classmate, peer, or friend. School social workers can play an important role in suicide prevention with this age group. This article will describe one agency's experiences conducting universal screenings in schools in thirteen communities in the Northeast United States as a component of an organized postvention plan following student suicide deaths. These communities ranged from urban areas to affluent suburban communities. Students (N = 9,984) were screened in middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools. Of the students screened, 12.6 percent screened positive. These students were more likely to be female (67.2%) and not currently receiving treatment (57.6%). The agency's experiences will be described, including barriers and strategies for working with school staff, administrators, teachers, and parents; lessons learned; and recommendations for school screenings.

Keywords: ADOLESCENT SUICIDE; POSTVENTION; SCHOOL-BASED SCREENINGS; SUICIDE; UNIVERSAL SCREENING

Language: en