The Bruce Grey Catholic School Board is tackling the sensitive issue of suicide, and has developed its own Suicide Prevention Protocol.

The goal behind the Suicide Prevention Protocol is to assist staff in recognizing and responding to students who may be at risk of committing or considering suicide.

Social Worker Anne-Marie Deas says teachers are in the unique position of being able to detect a troubled young person.

The new protocol provides staff with a concrete plan on what to do, who to call and how to ensure the student receives the help they need.

Staff first identified the need for a Suicide Prevention Protocol.

Deas notes staff are already having 'suicide' conversations with students and they wanted to ensure they were taking the right steps to minimize the risk for youth.

Catholic School staff have already received special training to handle future suicide conversations.  

The new protocol also includes a Student Support Response Team that will be made up of the principal, a social worker and two staff members.

If a student presents with suicidal tendencies, parents will be notified immediately.

Stats show suicide was the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 14 and 25 in Canada last year.

And a student at Sacred Heart High School took his own life last year.

Student Trustees Lauren McLean and Shannon Kelly applaud the new protocol -- saying it is needed.

They both say some students struggle with this issue and it's good to know there is extra help available to them.