Postvention

This aim focuses on studying the barriers associated with schools adopting a postvention program (e.g., costs, relevancy) and the components necessary to develop and execute a successful program. A school-based postvention program refers to a set of guidelines or protocols a school adheres to in an attempt to mitigate risk and promote healing after a death by suicide. Based on extensive guidelines, resources, and recommendations offered by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) Best Practice Registry, this aim also sought to develop and implement a comprehensive program addressing all facets of postvention: The Postvention Consultation Training. The program is based on eight essential "pillars of postvention" (crisis response teams, response protocols, collaboration with community partners, media guidelines, memorialization, grief support, self-care for staff members, and long-term suicide prevention) and extensive guidelines are provided for each pillar. The training program also includes information on common myths and misconceptions about depression and suicide among students and can feature audience participation (via questions, videos, and prompts).