TxSSC
The Intersection of School Suicide Risk Screening and Behavioral Assessment and Management
Video Length | 1:02:14
Recorded | October 2026
Podcast Description
In this TxSSC Learning Lab episode, host Laura Baker speaks with Dr. Melissa A. Reeves to discuss the intersection of suicide risk screening and school behavioral threat assessment and management (SBTA). They discuss the similarities and differences between the two processes, when a behavioral threat assessment may be needed alongside suicide risk response, and the importance of considering the context surrounding a student's behaviors. They also explore the roles of multidisciplinary team members, parents and guardians, and other school personnel in recognizing concerns and supporting an appropriate response.
Expert Guest
Dr. Melissa A Reeves, PhD, NCSP, LPC
Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LPC is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education
teacher, licensed professional counselor, and former district coordinator of social/emotional/behavioral
services. She is past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (2016-17) ...and has over 20
years’ experience working in public schools and a private school, in addition to providing mental health
services in day and residential treatment settings. Currently, Dr. Reeves is a threat assessment & mental
health
specialist and senior advisor and speaker for Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by two parents
who
lost their children in the Sandy Hook tragedy. She is also a consultant and trainer for SIGMA Threat
Management
Associates (a Raptor affiliate), Safer Schools Together (SST), and Public Consulting Group (PCG). Dr. Reeves
actively works and consults with K-12 schools regarding threat assessment cases and establishing safety,
suicide, and threat assessment protocols. Dr. Reeves is a co-author of the internationally and nationally
recognized NASP PREPaRE School Safety and Crisis Preparedness curriculum, has authored multiple books and
publications, and travels both nationally and internationally training professionals in crisis prevention and
intervention. She has also served as an expert witness in court cases involving targeted school attacks and
threat and suicide risk assessments. Dr. Reeves was appointed by the Department of Homeland Security as an
inaugural member of the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board.
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More >>
Learning Lab Host
Laura Baker, M.Ed.
Laura is the Program Manager of Training and Education at the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC), located at
Texas State University. She began her work at the Center as a School Behavioral Threat Assessment (SBTA)
Specialist, supporting schools and districts in implementing behavioral threat ...assessment processes and
practices. Laura brings more than 14 years of public education experience, most recently serving as Director
of
Student Services in a mid-sized school district. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, with an
emphasis in Law Enforcement, from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master's degree in Educational
Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
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Podcast Available On
-
You can access all episodes of The Learning Lab School Safety Podcast on the following platforms:
- YouTube (Video and Audio)
- Spotify (Video and Audio)
- Apple Podcasts (Audio Only)
Resources
The Intersection of School Suicide Risk Screening and Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management
The Texas School Center, in partnership with Safe and Sound Schools, is hosting The Intersection of School Suicide Risk Screening and Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management virtual training. Participants will learn how to determine when to conduct a suicide risk assessment, a school behavioral threat assessment, or both, based on the student's presenting concerns.
For more information about The Intersection of School Suicide Risk Screening and Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management trainings, please email: txssc_riskscreen@txstate.edu