In an effort to combat the rising youth suicide rates, the Maryland Department of Health has released a new resource guide, the Maryland Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Schools. This comprehensive guide is aimed at providing educators, who are often first responders to students in crisis, with the tools needed for effective suicide prevention.
Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott expressed concern about the increasing suicide rates among youth both nationally and within the state. “Here in Maryland, we are already working to reverse this heartbreaking trend,” she stated. “We are getting evidence-based resources in the hands of the schools as well as the other communities where targeted help is essential to preventing suicide deaths.”
The timing of the announcement coincides with National Suicide Prevention Month. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-24 in Maryland and 16th across all age groups.
The Maryland Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Schools provides specific guidelines and training tools for K-12 public and private school communities. The resource is designed to cater to various groups within the school environment, including administrators, mental health professionals, teachers, students, peers, and parents.
Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health Alyssa Lord highlighted the targeted approach of the guide: “Each section addresses the specific needs and roles of its target audiences, ensuring that all members of the school community are prepared to respond, or identify additional supports, to effectively address suicide-related crises.”
The guide offers best practices for crisis response and communication, along with proactive measures for suicide prevention. Parents, for example, can access information on creating a safer home environment and safety tips for preventing suicide attempts.
The development of the Maryland Action Plan was led by the Department’s Office of Suicide Prevention, in collaboration with suicide prevention experts Dr. Scott Poland and Dr. Donna Poland, incorporating feedback from school and community partners and suicide loss survivors.
Dr. Scott Poland commended the state’s commitment: “Schools in partnership with parents and community and state agencies can make a difference and prevent youth suicide,” he noted.
In addition to resources for schools, the Department’s Behavioral Health Administration continues to support broader suicide prevention efforts across the state. For more information, visit Maryland Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention page.
