Passed in Illinois in August 2015
Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention Policy 105 ILCS 5/2-3.163, amended by P.A. 99-443 requires a suicide awareness and prevention policy. This law requires ISBE to create a working group to develop a model policy. The working group has determined that IASB’s PRESS policy 7:290, Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention will be the model policy, and any school district who requests a copy will receive it gratis. The ISBE working group will use PRESS policy 7:290, Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention to develop guidelines for implementing the policy, along with resources and other materials to assist school districts with the implementation of the policy. For legal advice or a legal opinion on a specific question about this law and the policy, consult a lawyer.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 12 and 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results from the 2019 Illinois Youth Risk Behavior Survey (Illinois statewide summary tables) indicate that 19 percent of Illinois high school students had seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months prior to taking the survey (spring of 2019) and 9 percent attempted suicide one or more times during the previous 12 months. We do not yet have this data for the time period during the COVID-19 pandemic, but other data from across the country indicate current numbers about youth show higher levels of suicide consideration and suicide attempts due to the stresses of recent months.
POLICY FOR ILLINOIS SCHOOLS
- Dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line
- Contact Safe2Help Illinois: Dial 844-4-SAFEIL, Text SAFE2 (72332), email
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- Develop a model suicide prevention policy, and
- Compile, develop, and post recommended guidelines, resources, and educational materials on youth suicide prevention and awareness.
MODEL SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS
ISBE and stakeholders adopted the Illinois Association of School Board’s PRESS policy 7:290, Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention, pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/2-3.163, amended by P.A. 99-443 as the model policy. Any school or district that requests a copy will receive it free, regardless of membership status. To request a copy of the model youth suicide awareness and prevention policy, please email the
RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES
is a companion document for schools to the aforementioned model policy. Schools can play a critical role in suicide prevention.- Prior suicide attempt
- Co-occurring mental and alcohol or substance abuse disorders
- Family history of suicide
- Parental psychopathology
- Hopelessness
- Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
- Easy access to lethal methods, especially guns
- Exposure to the suicide of a significant person
- History of physical or sexual abuse
- Impaired parent-child relationships
- Life stressors, especially those involving loss
- Lack of involvement in school and/or work ("drifting")
- Sharing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Safe2Help Illinois resources with students, families, and employees.
- Promoting social, emotional, behavioral, and academic competencies.
- Providing a safe, caring, responsive, and participatory school climate.
- Engaging parents.
- Intervening early when students need additional mental health supports.
- Making appropriate referrals if necessary supports are beyond the capacity of school personnel.
- Implementing a coordinated crisis response Suicide Toolkit when a suicide occurs.
