Abbreviations: Board Policy (BP); Administrative Regulations (AR); Exhibit (E)

Suicide Prevention – Comprehensive SUSD Approach

Suicide Prevention – 5141.52

• BP: BP 5141.52 – Students – Suicide Prevention
• AR: AR 5141.52 – Students – Suicide Prevention

Stockton Unified School District and the Student Support Services Department are proud to have created a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention.

SUSD employees annually receive training on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide, as well as suicide prevention, intervention, referral, and postvention strategies.

Elementary Grades (K-6)

Staff deliver social-emotional lessons to students on:

• Recognizing emotions
• Seeking help for harmful behaviors
• Identifying coping strategies

Middle & High School (Grades 7-12)

School Counselors use SOS Signs of Suicide lessons, a suicide prevention program that educates students about the relationship between suicide and depression. Students are encouraged to seek help from trusted adults whether they have concerns about themselves or a friend using the SOS Acknowledge, Care, Tell (ACT®) message.

As per California Education Code, our 7th-12th graders also have the following resources on the back of their student ID cards:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  24/7 Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
  Crisis Text Line: Text ACT to 741-741
• San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Care Services
  24/7 Helpline: 1-888-468-9370
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  24/7 Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

PLUS Program (Grades 7-12)

The PLUS program is a peer-led, trauma-informed initiative that trains students to be restorative advocates in preventing and reducing:

• Bullying & school violence
• Alcohol and drug use
• Suicides and other risk factors

PLUS teams promote prosocial bonding, inclusion, and a strong sense of belonging through district-wide prevention and awareness activities, such as:

• Unity Day
• SUSD is Bully-Free Month
• Suicide Prevention Week
• Say Something Week
• No One Eats Alone Day

PLUS leaders in grades 9-12 are trained in the online LivingWorks Start program to identify and refer peers struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Below you will find our ACT message, as well as national and local resources, board policies, and other SUSD websites with suicide prevention information.