Central Queensland Christian College is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people who use its services. Our workers will treat them with respect and understanding at all times.
PREVENTING STUDENT SELF HARM
During their schooling, some students may be at risk of harming themselves. This harm may occur with or without suicidal intent; or may be symptomatic of, or associated with, a known medical condition or intellectual disability.
Self-harm with suicidal intent
Youth suicide rates in Australia are among the highest in the industrialised world. Common risk factors include:
- Previous attempts at suicide (most powerful risk predictor);
- Depression;
- Drugs and alcohol abuse;
- Conduct disorder;
- Disruptive and un-supportive family background;
- Relationship conflicts;
- Poor coping skills;
- Psychiatric illnesses;
- Ready availability of lethal means to commit suicide;
- Copycat behaviour after an incident of self-harm by another person.
Other risk factors include:
- Recent bereavement
- Chronic physical illness;
- Anniversary phenomenon (of past losses or major life events);
- Early loss experiences;
- School failure;
- Perfectionism and over-achievement as a result of students having high expectations of themselves.
Threats of self-harm by a student should be taken seriously and reported to the Chaplain and the Principal immediately. It is much safer to be cautious and act on the concern, than to do nothing.
An employee or volunteer who becomes aware of, or suspects, a student is experiencing significant psychological distress, should consult the Principal who will seek professional advice.
In the case of an acutely distressed student, the immediate safety of the child is paramount. An employee should ensure the immediate safety of the student, arrange for an adult to be with the student at all times and then report concerns to the Principal and the Chaplain. Employees should note, that while it is important to support a student, they should be careful not to substitute support for professional help.
Following a report, the Principal or Chaplain will meet with the distressed student, on the day of the report, to determine an appropriate course of action. In cases of serious concern, the Principal or Chaplain will notify the student’s parents and make arrangements for access to professional assistance.
Self-harm without suicidal intent
Not all cases of self-harm relate to suicidal intent. Students may engage in a variety of high-risk behaviours, such as alcohol/substance abuse; drug taking; unsafe promiscuity; cutting/burning oneself.
All school employees are expected to act to prevent all high-risk behaviours occurring within the school, and support any other interventions undertaken to reduce the risk of such behaviours occurring outside the school.
Employees or volunteers who are aware that a student is engaging in, or is at risk or engaging in, high risk activities should consult with the Principal for further advice and report their concerns.
Following a report, the Principal will seek professional advice to determine what course of action should occur. Possible actions include:
- Contacting parents.
- Arranging professional assistance.
- Consulting with the local office of the Department of Communities (Child Safety Services).
- Contacting the police, where appropriate.
Self-harm as a symptom of a medical condition or intellectual disability
Where it is known that a student has a propensity to engage in self harm that is symptomatic or associated with a known medical condition or intellectual disability the school Principal, in cooperation with external treating professionals (where applicable), will devise an individual program of management to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the student engaging in self-harm at school.
The program will complement any other management procedures adopted outside the school setting to address the self-harm behaviour.
The program of management will be monitored on an on-going basis and modified as appropriate to maximise socially adaptive behaviour.