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Postvention in Schools
Learn about how schools can navigate the aftermath of a suicide attempt or loss.
Postvention, or the steps recommended that school take following a suicide attempt or loss, should support the well-being of the entire student body by helping to manage the aftereffects of a crisis and prevent contagion.
For a full overview of mental health postvention in schools, view the K-12 Mental Health Promotion & Suicide Prevention Toolkit.
Watch our video for an overview on how schools can navigate the days following a loss with students. Or read more below.
Five Steps for Navigating the Aftermath of a Crisis in Schools
1. Mobilize the Crisis Response Team (CRT).
Mobilizing the Crisis Response Team (CRT) is a crucial first step in postvention to manage the crisis, provide immediate support, and prevent suicide contagion. The principal or designee notifies the CRT leader, who then activates the team using a pre-established communication plan. Key actions include verifying the death, coordinating community notifications, securing the campus, and collaborating with district and mental health providers to ensure support for students and staff.
2. Communicate directly with sensitivity. *Avoid public announcements.
Using direct and sensitive communication is essential to supporting students and staff while preventing misinformation and suicide contagion. Schools should notify staff through a pre-determined system, conduct an all-staff meeting before informing students, and share announcements in small, familiar classroom settings rather than public announcements or assemblies.
Communication with families, the deceased’s family, and the broader community should be handled with accuracy, sensitivity, and consistency—ensuring all messages provide verified information, respect privacy, and connect individuals to mental health resources.
3. Identify and support at-risk students.
Youth, teens, and young adults are especially vulnerable to the effects of a peer’s suicide, increasing the risk of suicide contagion and clusters. To mitigate this, the Crisis Response Team (CRT) should identify students who were close to the deceased or have pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as mental health conditions, past suicidal behaviors, or experiences with bullying.
Providing close monitoring, individual and group support, parent/caregiver engagement, and access to mental health resources and referrals can help ensure long-term care and stability.
4. Provide appropriate outlets for grieving and support.
Providing safe, supportive spaces for students, staff, and the wider community to grieve, process emotions, and access resources—while minimizing the risk of suicide contagion—is a critical part of postvention. Key steps include small group discussions, access to counselors, creative outlets, parent and staff education, and long-term monitoring of at-risk individuals.
Memorialization should be handled thoughtfully, avoiding glamorization while focusing on life-affirming activities and raising mental health awareness. By implementing structured support strategies, schools can foster healing and resilience while ensuring a safe and compassionate environment.
5. Enact a plan for long-term student support.
Enacting a sustained strategy requires ongoing monitoring of at-risk students, continuous communication, and preparation for sensitive periods like anniversaries and special events. The CRT should implement structured follow-up efforts, including regular student check-ins, continued counseling support, and family outreach to address evolving needs.
By fostering a supportive and proactive school environment, schools can help students and staff navigate grief while gradually reintegrating them into a typical routine, promoting stability, and fostering long-term mental well-being.
6. Strengthen existing mental health strategies to prevent future crises.
Conduct a tactical debriefing with the CRT to strengthen the identification and support of vulnerable students, evaluate communication protocols, assess the effectiveness of mental health resources, review staff and student education programs, and consider policy revisions related to mental health, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention.
By implementing data-driven improvements and refining policies, schools can foster a proactive, supportive environment that enhances mental well-being and minimizes the risk of future crises.
Access the complete K-12 Mental Health Promotion & Suicide Prevention Toolkit.
