Preferred Name
Mandy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Date of Graduation
Summer 2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Educational Specialist (EdS)
Department
Department of Graduate Psychology
Advisor(s)
Deborah Kipps-Vaughan
Abstract
Most of the research on suicidal behavior has focused on the middle and high school level, and an extensive review of the literature shows that more information is needed on the current needs and prevention practices at the elementary school level. In Virginia, school psychologists rated school counselors the top professional in elementary schools to lead suicide intervention and prevention efforts. Due to this, the current study examined 161 Virginia school counselors’ responses to an online survey to further explore intervention and prevention efforts among school professionals. Both school counselors and school psychologists noted that receiving additional training and having established crisis plans are important in regards to suicidal behavior. While both professionals agree that suicide at the elementary level is something that should be taken seriously, the results found that open communication and discussion among professionals is an area that could be improved.
Recommended Citation
VanDyke, Maranda K. D., "Suicidal behavior among elementary school students and current needs in prevention practices: A survey of Virginia school counselors" (2015). Educational Specialist, 2009-2019. 7.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/edspec201019/7
