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Suicide Prevention Screening Resources

Suicide Prevention Screening Resources

One of the best ways to identify youth at-risk for suicide is through screening. There are many things that need to be in place before implementing a screening program.

Before implementing screening, make sure that staff have been trained in suicide warning signs, referral procedures, and that pupil services staff are prepared to respond to a student who may be thinking about suicide.

Below are some basic preparatory steps.

  • Seek approval from administration and school board
  • Engage pupil services team support
  • Identify and notify community resources of screening
  • Select a valid and reliable instrument
  • Determine whether you will use active or passive parent consent
  • Inform parents and students of their right to opt out
  • Alert/train staff and parents on gatekeeper training, screening tool, protocols, and available resources
  • Determine who will interview individual students
  • Determine who will contact parents and when
  • Determine who will provide follow-up/case management and specific procedures to follow
  • Evaluate/reflect on data and program with staff involved
  • Revise/update program


Materials to help your research before implementing. This is not an exhaustive list.

Proactive tools that are on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center's (SPRC) Best Practice Registry include:

For more information on evidence-based tools go to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

Some risk screening tools available for reactive/individual screening include: