Critical and emerging needs in a suicide cluster: Lessons in crisis response, longterm planning, and coordination

Fairfax County Public Schools, the tenth largest school district in the United States, has more than 186,000 students. The teen suicide rate was lower in the county than in the state or nation, but this did not predict a suicide cluster that occurred within a three year period, alarmingly, within the same high school community. This suicide pattern evolved from 2011 to 2014, raising concerns about the need for effective prevention, access to resources, and response capacity. Over time, it became clear that the local crisis team, and those responding regionally, needed to address long-term, unmet needs within the school community. It became essential to examine each response and postvention plan carefully and thoughtfully, increase available school mental health support, and reengage community partners, including parents and caregivers in providing increased access to mental health support services.