Threat to Self or Others
Supporting Our PWCS Students 2020-2021
Threat (to Self and Others) Assessment Smore
Post Emergency Contact Information
What To Do If You Become Aware of a Threat
Threat assessment now encompasses not only behavioral threat to others, but also threat to self. The Threat Assessment Team still functions during virtual learning.
Please make sure that you are in contact with your administrators and other members of your school's Threat Assessment Team (TAT). Teams should meet remotely at the beginning of the year to discuss how the process will work in virtual, hybrid, and in-person environments. Dr. Dolores Robison, Supervisor of Threat Assessment, is always available for TAT consultation.
Suicidal Ideation
If you become aware of a student's suicidal ideation, immediately seek to bring a parent/guardian or caregiver into the virtual conversation and share the concerns. The counselor may, with the parent’s permission, conduct a screening using the C-SSRS. Follow PWCS Suicide Prevention Guidelines for referral to Community Services and documentation of the actions taken.
If a parent/guardian or caregiver is not present, keep the student on the virtual meeting and conduct a suicide screening using the C-SSRS. If the results indicate either moderate or high level of concern and the parent cannot be reached remain present with the student and contact law enforcement.
As soon as possible, notify the school administrator.
If possible, invite a second school based mental health professional to the virtual meeting to provide support. It is recommended each counselor have a “go to” back-up colleague that they would reach out to in such a situation.
If suicidal ideation is shared in a virtual group meeting (class or small group), one of the school-based mental health professionals/co-leaders can talk with the student in a breakout Zoom room. Please use your best professional judgment in working with other students or families who might have witnessed the concerning statement.
Please share your concern and provide resources to the family so that they can possibly access mental health services in the community. If you think an emergency referral to the Community Services Board is warranted, please remember to consult CSB by phone before referring parents to go there.
Notify the school administrator who will review the circumstances and determine next steps following PWCS Threat Assessment Guidelines
What if a student indicates suicidal ideation, terminates the communication (i.e. Zoom, phone), and cannot be reached?
- Call 911 immediately and then notify the parents/guardians.
Please click on the files below for more information on threat to self in a virtual environment, and for the PWCS Suicide Prevention Guidelines.
Behavioral Threat to Others
If a student makes concerning statements regarding a threat to others during an online interaction, the school based mental health professional should follow the PWCS Threat Assessment Guidelines. Speak with the student privately to gain an understanding of context and intent using the appropriate OSS form (Student Interview).
Bring a parent/guardian or caregiver into the virtual conversation and share any concerns.
If a parent/guardian or caregiver is not present, keep the student on the virtual meeting and make contact by phone while continually watching over the student.
If a student indicates a threat to others during group academic advisement, please adjourn the meeting as soon as you feel it is safe to do so. Contact the student's family via phone (with follow up via email) and address the concern. If you are not able to reach a parent/guardian, please contact the non-emergency police department number to ask for a welfare check. Again, if there is an emergency, you should contact 911. Please use your best professional judgment in working with other students or families who might have witnessed the concerning statement.
Notify the school administrator who will review the circumstances and determine next steps following PWCS Threat Assessment Guidelines
In the event of any threat to self or others, please reach out to Supervisor of Threat Assessment, Dr. Dolores Robison, at 571-235-4725 for consultation.