80. The Conversations That Can Save a Life

80. The Conversations That Can Save a Life

August 20, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

This episode discusses suicide prevention in schools and the importance of educators recognizing and responding to students in crisis.

What do you do when a student may be thinking about suicide? In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle have an important conversation about suicide prevention in schools. They discuss why educators and staff need the confidence to recognize shifts in student behavior, ask direct questions, and know exactly what to do next when a student discloses suicidal thoughts. Josh shares a personal experience from his time as an administrator, while Charle explains why teachers do not need to be therapists to make a difference. The conversation highlights the importance of observation, using clear and supportive language, staying with a student until they can be connected to a mental health professional, and having a campus plan for students returning from a crisis or hospitalization. This episode also addresses the need for proactive training, strong school mental health teams, and clear protocols that help staff respond with care, confidence, and consistency. -- FREE The Language of Behavior Book Study Kit: https://thrivingeducator.myflodesk.com/lobbookstudy Bulk Book Discount: https://www.connectedd.org/bulk-orders Do you have any questions for the podcast? Fill out…

People in this episode

Hosts: Joshua Stamper, Charle Peck

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