Plan for Prevention and Intervention in Emotional and Behavioral Crisis and Postvention
after a Student Death or Other Crisis

Updated November 2019

In our state, an average of two young people under 25 die by suicide every week and as many as one out of five students have seriously considered suicide in the last year. One in five 10 graders acknowledged on the 2012 Healthy Youth Survey that they had used an illegal drug in the last 30 days and about one in four had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. One in twelve 10 graders reported a physical fight on school property in the last month and one in three 6 graders reported being bullied on school property in the last 30 days. About a third of Washington students report signs of depression within the last year. All of these problems have a greater impact among more vulnerable populations of students, such as those experiencing poverty, contact with the child welfare system, and identity-based discrimination.  These issues have a serious impact on students and families in schools and communities across the state of Washington.

Vashon School District recognizes that the school plays a unique and important role in the prevention of youth suicide, violence, and substance abuse and in the identification and treatment of mental health disorders in our community. 

This plan outlines Vashon School District’s approach to prevention of and support for students experiencing emotional and behavioral distress and plans for supporting our school communities after a student’s death. This plan shall be available to all staff and reviewed and updated at the beginning of each school year.

VISD Suicide Prevention and Postvention Plan