Support after a suspected or attempted suicide
Samaritans can offer specialist support for school leadership teams after a suspected or attempted suicide in the school community through their Step by Step service. Guidance is also available to help schools plan for such an event.
Nobody likes to think about a death in school. Yet suicide is a leading cause of death for young people in the UK. Whether a student, parent or staff member has taken their own life, the Step by Step service helps school leadership teams to respond appropriately so that the risk of further attempts or deaths is reduced and the school community is supported to come to terms with the event and recover.
The service can provide support with:
- Creating a response plan
- Breaking the news – to staff, students and parents and carers – and starting difficult conversations
- Handling the media
- Identifying and supporting vulnerable students
- Memorials and funerals
Samaritans will respond within 24 hours
Email: stepbystep@samaritans.org
Telephone: 0808 168 2528
For more information contact Samaritans
Local Contact for general queries:
Jennifer Taylor, Lead Commissioner (Public Health), Gloucestershire County Council and Chair of Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership Forum
Email: jennifer.taylor@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01452 583540