Child and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: School-Based Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention

This comprehensive resource—now revised and expanded—provides school practitioners with an evidence-based framework for preventing and effectively responding to youth suicidal behaviour.

David N. Miller guides readers to understand, screen, and assess for suicide risk in students in grades K–12. He presents collaborative strategies for intervening appropriately within a multi-tiered system of support. The book also shows how to develop a coordinated plan for postvention in the aftermath of a suicide, offering specific do's and don'ts for supporting students, parents, and school personnel. User-friendly tools include reproducible handouts; the book's large-size format facilitates photocopying. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials.

New to This Edition:

• Chapter on the roles and responsibilities of the school-based suicide prevention team.
• Significantly revised coverage of screening and suicide risk assessment.
• Situates prevention and intervention within a schoolwide multi-tiered system of support.
• Updated throughout with current data, practical recommendations, and resources.

Table of Contents

1. Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents: An Introduction and Overview
2. Youth Suicidal Behavior and the Schools sample
3. Teamwork, Roles and Responsibilities, and Self-Care in Schools
4. Public Health Approaches to Youth Suicide Prevention
5. Tier 1 School-Based Suicide Prevention Programs for All Students
6. Identifying Tier 2 and Tier 3 Students and Linking Assessment to Intervention
7. Tier 2 and Tier 3 Interventions for At-Risk and High-Risk Students
8. School-Based Suicide Postvention

Epilogue

Appendix. Online Resources

References

Index

"Every school should make this book required reading….This is a practical resource guide….The author is an authority on the subject of suicide and suicidal behaviors in youth and imbues this second edition with every ounce of his passion to make a difference for kids and the school personnel who want to give youth their very best. This book is user-friendly, including handouts and assessment measures, information on taking care of caregivers, and evidence-based strategies for many levels of support. Please buy this book. Kids matter!"
- Doody’s Review Service

"Miller, a seasoned school psychologist and an authority on suicidal behavior in young people, has provided what I view as the single most important work on this topic for any professional working in school settings. The thoroughly updated second edition reflects many changes in the field and includes new material on such crucial topics as coordination of care within schools and the prevention of burnout among school personnel. A practical, accessible, and complete treatment of this concerning public health problem."
- Thomas E. Joiner, PhD, The Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Florida State University

"When reviewing a resource for schools, I look for three things—whether it is well researched, speaks to education professionals, and gives practical guidance to elevate practice and improve the lives, safety, and health of our next generation. Child and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior, Second Edition, ticks all these boxes. Miller provides a thorough grounding in theory, research, and practice in a way that is readable and engaging. Suicidal behavior is on a steady upward climb among our nation’s youth, making this a critical and timely read for school-based professionals and school leaders."
- Pat Breux, RN, BSN, youth suicide prevention specialist, New York State

"Once again, Miller has provided a 'must-have' book for school personnel, educators, and clinicians. Miller shares his expertise and knowledge regarding the complex topic of youth suicidal behavior in an easy-to-understand manner. Resource-rich chapters address screening, identification, and comprehensive school-based suicide prevention programming. Clinicians will appreciate the coverage of youth-focused assessment measures as well as specific topics that need to be addressed during clinical interviews. This book has become my go-to resource, both when developing my university lectures and when working with elementary and secondary schools."
- James J. Mazza, PhD, College of Education, University of Washington

"Miller has been a long-time leading expert in the area of youth suicide and an important voice in advocacy for school-based prevention, intervention, and postvention. He poignantly explains that while the topic of suicide is challenging for schools and communities to address, avoiding it too often results in further loss of life. The good news is that this book provides a comprehensive 'how-to' guide for schools to follow. Miller presents useful, evidence-based strategies and programs for school and clinical professionals. The second edition is even more user friendly and informative than the first, with an emphasis on incorporating suicide prevention into multi-tiered systems of support."
- John Kelly, PhD, school psychologist, Commack School District, New York; past president, National Association of School Psychologists