Suicide prevention
As a staff member, you may encounter signs that a student is experiencing suicidal thoughts or, in rare cases, be faced with a suicide attempt or suicide. These situations can be distressing and challenging. It is important to know how to respond and where to find support.
Prevention resources
A range of suicide prevention resources are available to help you recognise and express concerns about possible suicidality, including:
• the Suicide Prevention Assessment Tool
• guidelines for recognising and responding to signs of suicide in students
• 113 gesprekskaart (a guide by 113 Suicide Prevention to starting a conversation with someone with suicidal thoughts, in Dutch)
These resources can help you start a conversation with a student, set appropriate boundaries and refer them to suitable support when needed. You do not need to handle these situations perfectly: showing empathy, expressing concern and being willing to start the conversation can already make a difference. The resources also provide guidance on who to involve, and when.
Prevention training
113 Suicide Prevention offers a free webinar, Vraag maar (Just Ask, in Dutch), for anyone who would like to learn how to start a conversation with someone they are concerned about.
For more in-depth learning, 113 also offers an in-person suicide prevention training course. The university offers this training free of charge. The training lasts half a day and is designed to help staff feel prepared and confident when responding to concerns about, or signs of, suicidality. View the course schedule.
Action plans following a suicide or suicide attempt
A suicide or suicide attempt is extremely distressing for everyone involved. In such situations, many issues require attention and action at the same time.
The university therefore has postvention (support and aftercare) action plans: the Suicide Response Protocol and the Attempted Suicide Response Protocol. These set out what the actions to be taken and clarify roles and responsibilities. Coordination of these processes is the responsibility of the decentralised crisis team (DCT).