Go Back

Protect every child, every school, every day.

Founded in 2002, Raptor has partnered with over 52,000 schools globally, including over 5,000 K-12 U.S. school districts, to provide integrated visitor, volunteer, emergency management, safeguarding, and early intervention software and services that cover the full spectrum of school and student safety.

Protect every child, every school, every day.

Education & EdTech

Saving Young Lives: School’s Role In Youth Suicide Prevention

June 23, 2023
counseling
mental health
schools
students
+more
Rafael Abreu

 

The rise in adolescent suicides is an alarming trend, gaining global attention in recent years. Youth and young adults ages 10-24 comprise 15% of suicide deaths in the United States and are the second leading cause of death amongst this age group. Amidst these grim statistics, the essential role of educational institutions in youth suicide prevention is now more pertinent than ever, with educators enlisted to embrace a preventative, proactive approach to fostering a safer environment for their students. How can schools effectively intervene in this escalating crisis? What changes in approach and understanding are necessary to make schools integral players in youth suicide prevention?

In today’s episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Michelle Dawn Mooney sat down with Dr. Amy Grosso, Mental Health Consultant, to shed light on this vital issue. The pair discussed comprehensively saving young lives and a school’s role in youth suicide prevention.

Mooney and Grosso’s conversation includes:

• The importance of a holistic approach to suicide prevention and the actionable steps schools can implement to bolster their existing protocols.

• The necessary shift in perception regarding mental health in schools, broadening the understanding of what constitutes suicide prevention work.

• The value of collaboration between social workers and law enforcement in handling mental health crises in schools, and the challenges and benefits of integrating these two professions.

Dr. Amy Grosso brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her background involves a Ph.D. in counseling and counselor education and a history as a mental health counselor. More recently, she has worked with a school district to develop suicide protocols and threat assessment procedures, even creating a model of school policing where social workers and police work together. Highly active with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for the past five years, Dr. Grosso also serves on their national chapter leadership board, working to help others understand that suicide is preventable and what education is needed.

Recent Episodes

absenteeism
View episode

Schools Must go Beyond Edtech & Dig Deep with Root Cause Analysis to Truly Tackle Absenteeism

As the U.S. grapples with a rising tide of chronic absenteeism in schools, a phenomenon exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, educational leaders are faced with a pivotal challenge. With the shift to online learning during the pandemic, students and parents questioned the efficacy and necessity of traditional schooling structures, leading to increased absentee rates […]

The Dual Nature of AI: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes?
View episode

The Dual Nature of AI: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes?

On this episode of the Secured Podcast, hosts Mike Matranga and Mike Monsive from ASAP Security Services delved into the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing security measures. Despite concerns, AI has revolutionized security protocols by enabling proactive responses to potential threats. Highlighting recent AI advancements such as Google Gemini and updated versions […]

Preventing School Violence
View episode

School Violence Prevention and Response

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, Michelle Dawn Mooney sat down with Adam Coughran, President, Safe Kids, Inc.  During the conversation, they discussed proactive strategies for preventing violence in schools, focusing on the importance of communication channels within schools, behavioral awareness, and community involvement to aid in early detection and […]