Guidelines for School Based Suicide Prevention Programs

Program Description
Developed by the Prevention Division of the American Association of Suicidology, the Guidelines for School-Based Suicide Prevention Programs provides practical recommendations for the safe and effective
implementation of school-based suicide prevention programs. Topics addressed by the Guidelines include:

• The conceptual basis for prevention programs
• Requirements for effective suicide prevention programs
• Requirements for effective program implementation
• Requirements for institutionalization and sustainability of suicide prevention programs
• Components of comprehensive school-based suicide prevention programs

Program Objectives
Users of the Guidelines should have:
1. Increased knowledge of the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of effective school-based suicide
prevention programs.
2. Increased understanding of universal, selective, and indicated approaches to suicide prevention.
3. Increased knowledge of effective program implementation and sustainability strategies.
4. Increased knowledge of the multiple components of a comprehensive school-based suicide prevention
program.

Program Development
The Guidelines were developed by members of the Prevention Division of the American Association of Suicidology in 1999. Content was derived from both a review of the literature and expert opinion. Significant input
was provided by John Kalafat of Rutgers University.