Student self-harm and attempted suicide response
School response to incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and suicide. Schools must report and manage emergency and reportable incidents in accordance with their Emergency Management Plan and the department’s Reporting and managing schools incidents (including emergencies) Policy.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate assistance, contact emergency services on 000.
To report an incident, as soon as practicable, call:
- Incident Support and Operations Centre (ISOC) on 1800 126 126 to activate additional support from Area and Regional staff
- Student Support Services (SSS) for assistance with coordination and resources
- your Be You Consultant for support for affected students, staff and families, and additional support and resources.
Self-harm and attempted suicide response
An evidence-informed and timely response to supporting students who have engaged, or continue to engage, in self-harming behaviours offers the greatest opportunity to disrupt the cycle of self-harm. It can also reduce potential ongoing mental health and wellbeing difficulties in the future.
Schools have an important responsibility and duty of care to respond to and promote positive help-seeking behaviours and support students to develop safe coping strategies.
Find advice and guidance how to respond to incidents of self-harm and attempted suicide incidents**,** including when the student requires urgent medical attention.
Suicide response (postvention)
The impact of suicide is immediate and traumatic to families, friends and communities. Schools have an important responsibility and duty of care to respond to suicide in a way that promotes safety and protects everyone from further harm.
A thoughtful and coordinated response will help schools address student and staff needs following suicide or suspected suicide of a student. It will reduce the risk of more suicides occurring and help restore safety and wellbeing. This response is also known as postvention.
Find policy advice and guidance on the steps and activities undertaken in the immediate, short-term and long-term phases of a response to a suicide or suspected suicide of a student (also called postvention).
Updated 26 March 2026
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