When a student dies by suicide, school administrators play a critical role in supporting the school community, responding to grief, and fostering a safe, compassionate environment for healing. This session will explore suicide postvention—the actions taken following a suicide death to support those affected, reduce further harm, and promote healing and resilience within the school community.

Using principles from CARES Washington State, participants will learn best practices for postvention planning, recognize the diverse and complex grief responses of students and staff, and explore trauma-informed approaches to acknowledging and honoring a student’s life and death. The session will also emphasize the connection between postvention and prevention, highlighting how thoughtful leadership, supportive school policies, and a culture of connection and belonging can help create a preventative environment where students and staff feel seen, supported, and safe.