Suicide risk assessment not for every student interviewed by police in school
A suicide risk assessment is not conducted for every case when a student is interviewed by police in school, Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng told Parliament on Monday (14 March).
While school leaders and staff would check on the physical and emotional well-being of the student, Ng said that a suicide risk assessment might add distress or confusion for some, “especially for those who have not even contemplated suicide”.
“Instead, our approach is to conduct suicide risk assessments for students who show signs of serious emotional distress or who have mental health concerns known to a school,” said Ng, who was responding to a question from Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Daniel Goh.
Ng also noted that “given the dynamic psychological state of a child”, a suicide risk assessment was not fool-proof.
“Subsequent developments that occur after the assessment can alter the risk profile of a student,” Ng said. It was more important to ensure that there was consistent monitoring and support for the child throughout and following the period of police investigations, he added.
Ng said that all schools monitor a student’s well being before and during a police interview in school. Schools would also continue to check after the student returns home following further questioning at the police station and when the student returns to school.
Ng also urged parents to give greater attention and support to the child during this “critical period” and work with the school on follow-up steps.
“Parents and the school have to work together,” Ng said.
The acting minister also said the education ministry was open to the possibility of school counsellors being appointed as “appropriate adults” to be present with the students during police investigations.
