Supporting students returning to school after treatment

Hold a meeting for any student returning to school after treatment. 

• The meeting should be scheduled before or on the day of the student’s return to school, depending on hospitalization or other interventions.
• The meeting should include the case manager from the suicide risk assessment team and an administrator. Additional members may include the student, parent/guardian, suicide risk assessment team members, as well as any out-of-school mental health care providers.

The purpose of the meeting is to work toward identifying and addressing the issues that led to the crisis and building a strategy to prevent recurrence. 

• Revisit or create the safety plan.
• Update participants on progress and current student concerns.
• Identify the needed supports for the student.
• Ensure safety for the student.

If the team suspects a disability, the student should be referred for section 504 or special education consideration.

• Modify the student’s schedule and course load to relieve stress
• Work with teachers to allow make-up work to be extended without penalty
• Arrange for tutoring or any academic supports that may be needed
• Check in with the school counselor and/or other school staff at specified intervals or as needed
• Allow visits to the school nurse for medication monitoring
• Identify additional community resources for the family

Schools should develop and maintain relationships with their local providers to assist in the transition of services between school and community. 

Schools can create an uninterrupted transition of care by facilitating the exchange of information among the various individuals and organizations involved in supporting the student.

School staff should secure a release to exchange information with the student’s out-of-school mental health provider so the school and provider can coordinate efforts.