The aftermath of youth suicide--providing postvention services for the school and community

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in adolescence. Due to the risk of contagion and maladaptive coping responses in the aftermath of suicide, clinicians have responded by developing postvention services. Based on a considerable amount of experience in this field, target groups of individuals have been identified to receive such assistance. These groups include school administrators, staff, students, families, and community members at large. In addition, it has become clear that the local media response to suicide is of critical importance, and that school administrators and local mental health officials should work effectively with reporters so that news stories do not contribute to suicide contagion.