Supporting learning communities following suicide and sudden death

This guide is designed to support school and college leaders, managers and staff to support their educational communities following suicide and sudden death. 

The guide provides information and practical guidance on crisis support planning, responding to a suicide or sudden death, and postvention. It also provides guidance on having challenging and supportive conversations with staff and pupils, as well as the importance of self-care. 

Please note: this resource contains descriptions of trauma and vicarious trauma and should be handled sensitively. When using this resource, staff should refer to their setting’s safeguarding protocols. 

Using this resource

This resource is designed for: 

• use by mental health leads working with students aged 5 to 19. 

• use by staff working in primary schools, secondary schools, colleges (sixth form and FE) and special schools. 

Learning outcomes

This resource addresses the following learning outcomes: 

• Create a plan to develop, implement and sustain a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing, tailored to their setting’s needs. 

• Sustain and continually improve the approach in their setting, working effectively with peers and support networks. 

• Facilitate development of school staff, identifying critical training and ensuring that all staff can recognise and understand the process to respond to mental health concerns.