Campus Based Suicide Postvention
How a campus responds to a death by suicide can have a significant impact on other students who may be at risk for suicide as well as on the overall emotional health of the campus. Schools should have protocols in place - well before a death occurs, on how to inform the campus and public, providing appropriate support and resources to friends, family, acquaintances, and others affected who may have not even known the decedent, and facilitating ways for the campus to honor the individual's life without increasing the risk of contagion.
Survivors of Suicide: A Support Group Leader's Handbook, 2019 (PDF/2.4 Megabytes)
Provided by the Star-Center, this manual was written for clinicians who have an interest in beginning a group for suicide survivors. It provides a basic outline and guide to help clinicians to provide services to people who are isolated by their loss.
After a Campus Suicide: A Postvention Guide for Student-Led Responses, 2017 (opens new window)
From Active Minds comes this guide that was created to help students respond to a death by suicide of a fellow student. The guide is available free of charge after completing a brief form at the bottom of the page.
Responding to Suicide Clusters on College Campuses, 2015 (SAMHSA Webinar/Parts 1 & 2/opens new window)
Learn from experts in suicide prevention and college mental health about the current understanding of suicide clusters in general and on college campuses. Presenters will discuss the epidemiology and demographics of suicide clusters; what is known about the settings in which clusters are more likely to occur, and how to effectively communicate on and off campus and in the media to diminish the risk of contagion and clusters occurring. Experts from college campuses will also share their experiences on responding to multiple suicides.
POSTVENTION: A Guide for Response to Suicide on College Campuses, 2014 (PDF/.98 Megabytes)
This resource is intended for use by colleges and universities that are affected by and/or want to be prepared for campus crises and campus deaths.
Responding To Suicide: Resources on Campus Based Suicide Postvention, 2010 (PDF/.244 Megabytes)
A list of additional post suicide resources and research.
After A Suicide: Recommendations for Religious Services & Other Public Memorial Observances, 2004 (PDF/.935 Megabytes)
Recommendations created to aid members of the clergy and other community and faith leaders as they care for those who have survived the loss of a loved one due to suicide and to assist them in helping to plan a memorial observance. This document provides background information, suggests ways to care for and support survivors, offers recommendations for planning memorial services, and lists additional resources.
Uniting for Suicide Postvention (opens new window)
Provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this site contains postvention support and resources for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide.