Dive Brief:

• The number of incidents of suicidal behavior reported in the Los Angeles Unified School District rose from 255 during the 2010-11 school year to 5,624 last year, and school staff are responding with better supports.
• EdSource reports the number of incidents has gone up as schools have improved their identification strategies and staff members have gained awareness of the sociological, psychological and emotional factors that impact children.
• More teachers and staff members receive training to properly identify and respond to warning signs that they may see frequently, as the district’s latest iSTAR report found nearly one-third of high school students reported prolonged sadness or hopelessness daily for two or more weeks, and 22% of middle schoolers and 14% of high schoolers said they seriously considered suicide.

Dive Insight:

Teachers are at the frontline when it comes to identifying early warning signs of potentially suicidal behavior. But the task can be overwhelming. Teachers have to focus on their content and lessons while managing dozens of students and keeping an eye out for potentially disturbing behavior. It is easy to notice students who are lashing out, but those who are being quieter than normal can hide in plain sight. Training can help teachers heighten their senses and know what to watch for.

Still, districts have to be careful not to go too far. There is suicide detection software that can track student behavior on school-issued devices and flag any concerning searches, but whether schools should use it is up for debate. Some say it is a violation of privacy. School officials should work with parents to decide the right balance for their communities.