2008 Woodie Awards
New lifeline policy aims to assess student 'suicidality'
Alyssa Fleck
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News
Originally published: 10/4/07 at 5:10 PM EST
Last update: 10/4/07 at 5:09 PM EST
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"What we're trying to do is help folks figure out what really is the issue, what kind of situation do I have with suicide, how can I figure out if I have thoughts of suicide, have I made an attempt in the past, and how do we assess. Is that a problem for me and if so how high is my risk and what kind of plan do I need to put in place for the future?" Minck said.
Following the assessment Minck said the student and clinician will try to develop a unique recommendation or future plan for the student.
The recommendations are varied depending on each individual case and can call for things such as ongoing counseling, substance abuse evaluation and services from the student support service.
"After the recommendation is made it is up to that person to decide whether or not they want to participate in further treatment," Minck said.
"We know we can't force people into counseling, they have to want to do that," added Director of Student Health and Psychological Services Kathleen Camelo. "We're giving them all the information they need to make those decisions."
Once a recommendation has been made the dean of students will then decide whether or not that information should be shared with the students support system or family.
In the event that the student's family is informed about the assessment, Minck said the private information that is shared during the assessment will not be given.
The report that is given to the family is a standardized "check list" so to speak, explaining further treatment that the task force may recommend.
Camelo said, "Our goal is to cast a net further so that we can basically find those students that are in need and having those thoughts and basically prevent suicide."
"We're trying to help people deal with these issues," Matthews said. "If you're at a point in your life where you're thinking that this is the answer, let somebody help you. It can't be that bad."
Following the assessment Minck said the student and clinician will try to develop a unique recommendation or future plan for the student.
The recommendations are varied depending on each individual case and can call for things such as ongoing counseling, substance abuse evaluation and services from the student support service.
"After the recommendation is made it is up to that person to decide whether or not they want to participate in further treatment," Minck said.
"We know we can't force people into counseling, they have to want to do that," added Director of Student Health and Psychological Services Kathleen Camelo. "We're giving them all the information they need to make those decisions."
Once a recommendation has been made the dean of students will then decide whether or not that information should be shared with the students support system or family.
In the event that the student's family is informed about the assessment, Minck said the private information that is shared during the assessment will not be given.
The report that is given to the family is a standardized "check list" so to speak, explaining further treatment that the task force may recommend.
Camelo said, "Our goal is to cast a net further so that we can basically find those students that are in need and having those thoughts and basically prevent suicide."
"We're trying to help people deal with these issues," Matthews said. "If you're at a point in your life where you're thinking that this is the answer, let somebody help you. It can't be that bad."
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