1. Stabilize the setting

  • Stay calm and reduce the audience around the student.
  • Do not leave the student alone when safety is uncertain.
  • Do not ask peers to supervise, transport, or keep secrets.
  • Contact emergency services for an active attempt, urgent medical need, or immediate physical danger.

2. Activate the designated team

  • Notify the trained school mental-health professional and administrator named in district protocol.
  • Record who assumed lead responsibility and the time of handoff.
  • Use the district-approved assessment and response process; this webpage does not assign a risk level.
  • Preserve the student’s dignity and limit disclosure to people with a legitimate safety role.

3. Notify the parent or guardian

  • Use live voice contact when possible, not only voicemail, email, or a student-carried note.
  • State the specific concern and the action the school is taking without minimizing or diagnosing.
  • Ask the caregiver to come to the school or follow the designated emergency pathway.
  • Explain that the student must remain with a responsible adult until the handoff is complete.
  • If the usual caregiver may be unsafe, unavailable, or part of the concern, follow district policy and applicable reporting law before disclosure.

Words for the notification call

“Your child shared information today that raises a concern about suicide and safety. They are with a trained adult now and are not being left alone. We need to make a direct handoff to you and discuss the next professional evaluation or crisis step under school protocol.”

4. Complete a direct handoff

  • Record the name of the adult who received the student, time, location, and agreed next step.
  • Provide current crisis and local-resource information.
  • Communicate what the school can and cannot confirm.
  • Do not rely solely on a signed waiver or verbal promise as proof of safety.
  • Follow district escalation procedures if a caregiver refuses or cannot complete a safe pickup or care plan.

5. Plan reentry before details are lost

  • Name one school contact for the family and student.
  • Confirm attendance, workload, make-up work, and quiet-space arrangements.
  • Discuss privacy and what staff need to know.
  • Plan check-ins and how the student can request immediate support.
  • Coordinate with outside providers only with appropriate authorization and within applicable law.

6. Document facts, not assumptions

  • Student’s exact words when material
  • Observed behavior and disclosed actions
  • People contacted and every attempted contact
  • Times, decisions, consultations, and handoffs
  • Resources provided
  • Follow-up owner and due time
  • Avoid speculative diagnosis, blame, or unnecessary graphic detail

Leadership implementation gate

Before district adoption, legal counsel and qualified school mental-health leadership should reconcile this tool with district policy, mandatory-reporting duties, special-education obligations, parent-notification requirements, record privacy rules, and local crisis partnerships.