Know What's Happening in Life

A Multiple-Methods Exploration of the "School-to-Suicide Pipeline"

A ten‑year, multiple‑method study examined 293 suicide decedents in a county, the majority of whom were Black/African American. By combining school record analysis with interviews of district psychologists and social workers, researchers identified school‑related factors—particularly exclusionary discipline—as significant contributors to these deaths. Four qualitative themes highlighted how punitive policies and limited mental‑health support exacerbate risk. The authors urge schools to adopt trauma‑informed, restorative, and non‑punitive approaches to better protect minoritized students.