Preventing and responding to suicide resource kit
A resource kit for schools that informs all staff on how to respond to students exhibiting suicidal behaviours. It ensures staff have information and resources for: creating positive safe environments, providing sensitive responses after a suicide, and promoting wellbeing.
About this resource
This section from the health and physical education guidelines and policies outlines the Ministry of Education's guide for Preventing and Responding to Suicide: Resource Kit for Schools. It is intended for all school staff, boards of trustees, principals, and senior leadership.
Preventing and responding to suicide resource kit
Preventing and Responding to Suicide: Resource Kit for Schools informs all staff about how to respond to students exhibiting suicidal behaviours. It ensures staff have information and resources for:
- creating positive, safe environments
- providing sensitive responses after a suicide
- promoting wellbeing.
The Ministry will continue to update this kit to reflect the resources and supports developed through the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2019–2024 for Aotearoa New Zealand in consultation with the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, and other key stakeholders.
Further information and resources can be found on the Ministry of Education's website to support safe teacher conversations about suicide and/or distressing information with students.
- Suicide prevention kit for schools This resource kit provides information for creating positive, safe environments in schools. Updated in 2019.
- Preparing for emergencies, traumatic incidents, evacuations, and lockdowns Further resources can be accessed on the Ministry of Education's page about preparing for emergencies and traumatic incidents.