If students are in class

A special predetermined code indicating the deployment of the exceptional event protocol must be initiated. If your school has not established such a code, determine the best way to reach staff without attracting too much attention.

This should be done as quickly as possible in order to control students’ comings and goings. In the absence of a predetermined code, you could go around the classrooms and inform teachers individually. An internal email or message with clear and detailed instructions related to the event and announcement should be sent to teachers, who must then follow the provided instructions.

Choose your words carefully. It is important not to hide the nature of the event, in order to avoid students inventing stories, rumors circulating or information being misinterpreted by relatives. Naming facts with sobriety helps create a climate of security.

Avoid glorifying, idealizing or giving unnecessary details about the event or person. Neutral, simple, and respectful communication is best.

The language used by the Emergency Committee during a suicide or homicide should depend on the context, the information already known and the rumors circulating in the environment. It is not recommended to provide too much information right away. The aim is not to multiply the details, but to respond clearly to information needs while protecting young people from being overexposed or from looking for answers on the Internet. This approach applies to all types of deaths. The elements to be shared must be considered and decided upon by the Committee.

The words used and the steps taken must be chosen carefully. Announcing a death to students can have a significant impact, and several factors should be considered.

In the case of a death by suicide, the scientific literature describes a particular phenomenon known as “knock-on effect” or “suicidal contagion” (Werther effect). This term refers to the possible increase in suicidal ideation or behavior in some people as a result of exposure to suicide. This well-documented phenomenon is based on mechanisms of identification or social imitation that can increase the vulnerability of already vulnerable young people. This concept is specific to suicide.

Other types of death can also act as triggers and cause significant psychological distress in vulnerable people. Traumatic reactions or stressors can be contagious and may require professional support.

Always avoid glorifying death or making it more beautiful than life. The focus should be on support and prevention. Talking about death and mourning is important, but the right language should be used.

From the moment the code is deployed, no student should circulate in the school. This reduces the risk that a student will inadvertently learn the news without support, and then repeat it to others or circulate it by text or on social networks.

The announcement of the exceptional event should be made to the whole school at the same time, but NEVER TO ALL STUDENTS TOGETHER. The announcement should be made in each classroom in order to allow for a better discussion and to avoid mass reactions. Each teacher is assigned the task of making this announcement.

The announcement is made at a specific time decided by the Emergency Committee. After making the announcement, each teacher must welcome their students’ emotions. The teacher can start by naming their own, and then facilitate a group discussion and answer questions.

All this should be done simply, with kindness and respect for the information given previously. The teacher does not have to answer all questions and must keep the focus on what is happening in the classroom. The teacher informs the students of the services available and informs the school secretary of the absences before the young people leave the class.

From this point on, it is essential that the members of the school team remain attentive to the changes in behavior among students (isolation, absenteeism, frequent crying, unusual anger, disturbing remarks, marked withdrawal). Special attention should also be paid to young people who already displayed risk factors or frailties before the event, in order to provide them with timely support.

The secretariat plays a very important role in managing exceptional events. The person answering the phone must know what to say or not to say if questions are asked. This person must quickly make photocopies or send out communications. Managing delays and absences is also very important.

A detailed list must be provided to the Emergency Committee who will promptly contact parents and/or absent students in order to inform them that an announcement was made in class that day. It is essential to guide the parents in how to approach this announcement with their child and to provide them with appropriate resources if needed. Any student who is late will need to be intercepted if they arrive during or after the announcement. A personalized announcement will be made before directing the student to their class or to an intervention or reflection room.

The reflection room should be set up to allow many young people to sit comfortably. It’s a place for students to meet, to ventilate, and to express themselves, but there are no prescribed direct interventions in this room.

This is not a group therapy room facilitated by a counselor. It is designed to allow students to express themselves. The person assigned to the reflection room is a support worker. This person offers tissue, paper, and pencils, and they supervise discussions that may get lively, disrespectful or untruthful. This room can be available for a few days, according to the needs. Usually it closes on Day 6. Its “closure” must be announced to students in advance.

Individual interventions are loosely structured sessions, have no set time, and aim to meet the needs of each student. Some will be grieving the death of a friend, others will be reacting to a parent’s sickness or will simply need to cry without necessarily knowing the deceased person.

This is where we begin to distinguish between students who are grieving and those who are reacting. Notes are taken during these individual sessions and sometimes other sessions can be scheduled with students who need them. This intervention period usually lasts no more than three days.

The staff’s needs must be well attended to. Breaks, lunch hours, starts and ends of days can be heavy. It is important to take care of everyone, including members of the Emergency Committee and support workers who directly support the youth. This role should be filled by a neutral support worker who is not at the “front.”

It should be noted that staff members cannot provide professional therapeutic assistance to their colleagues, as this would cross ethical lines. Staff should be directed to support resources if needed.

In a free and natural way, young people will identify a place to commemorate the event. This could be a locker, a table at the school’s entrance, etc. There are multiple possible locations. If students do not identify one, the Emergency Committee should do so.

This place will be used to reflect, to write messages to the family, to leave an object or a photo. The commemoration site is usually maintained until Day 6. Messages can be delivered to the family during the funeral or at another time.

Parents must absolutely be informed of the event, because their children will need support with their emotions and reactions. An email should be sent a few minutes after the announcement in class. This email should summarize the information given to students, the steps taken and the resources available for the children.

Before the end of the day, the Committee must take a break and record the day’s actions and observations. This will be used to prepare for the debriefing meeting with staff. The Committee assesses the day and analyzes the actions to be taken the next day. Members give each other mutual support and adjust as needed.

At the end of the day, it is strongly recommended to hold a staff meeting where all the actions and emotions of the day will be discussed. This is the time to address questions and to provide direction for the next few days. The meeting also provides information on support resources, the role of the school in terms of support, and useful information about the Employee Assistance Program.