What do I do if a suicide occurs in my school?
It's important to understand that though we try, Hope Squads cannot prevent every suicide.
Postvention is a very sensitive time that requires care and intentionality. If a student suicide occurs, it is important for the Advisor(s) to meet with the Squad Members to allow Members to each openly share their feelings about what occurred. It is valuable to remind Hope Squad Members that suicides occur for many reasons and most of the time the reasons are hidden. It is important to remind that Squad that no one is to blame and no matter how much help some individuals received, suicide is sometimes still seen as an option. During this meeting Advisors need to review self-care with the Squad Members and have the crisis team or a mental health professional meet with the Squad.
It is also important that you as the Advisor get the help you need. Nearly everyone in a school is impacted in some way by such a tragic loss. Take the time you need to take to process and make sure you can continue to show up for your Squad.
Resources are also available here in the Advisor Portal. Navigate to the portal and select "Squad Success". Scroll down to the last section of the page called "If Disaster, Suicide, Trauma Happens". You will be able to find resources for Postvention, Disaster, Trauma, and Helplines.
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