1. Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Students on College Campuses
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Karen Bower
Senior Staff Attorney

2. Presentation Outline Student data trends Typical college response
Opportunities to shift response and engage students
 Examples of success

3. Data Trends
More students with psychiatric diagnoses in high school and college
More students using counseling services – on campus and in community

4. High School Student Data
Problem pervasive in high school as well
In high school, 16.9% of students reported that they seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. Up from 13.8% in 2009 (CDC).

5. College Student Data
In the past 3 months, 63% of students said they’ve been so stressed they couldn’t get school work done. (MtvU, AP poll, Mar. 2008)
30.7% reported feeling so depressed it was difficult to function. National College Health Assessment 2010.

6. College Student Data – Suicide
Among year olds, there are approximately attempts for every completed suicide.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for year olds and 3rd leading cause of death among year olds. (CDC)

7. College Student Data
Suicide rate for college students is half that of matched non-college students.
Implications?

8. Typical College Responses
In response to students with mental health crises, discussion often focuses on whether, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, schools can use disciplinary action or leave of absence / suspension to remove students from campus.
In wake of VA Tech crisis increase in such practices

9. The Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA)
Prohibits discrimination against students whose mental health problems substantially limit a major life activity, including students regarded as disabled

10. Involuntary Leave
Infrequently used – only if student cannot safely remain at school or meet academic standards even with accommodations and other supports
If safety is an issue, individualized assessment that considers the nature and severity of the risk, the probability that injury will actually occur, and whether accommodations can sufficiently mitigate the risk to allow the student to meet academic standards and remain safely in school.
Due process protections

11. Consequences of Colleges’ Responses
Isolates students from friends and supports
Discourages students from seeking help
Sends the wrong message
Has negative consequences for all students
May violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

12. How Should Colleges Respond?
Since students are a captive audience colleges offer a unique opportunity to engage students and connect them to array of services
There are several best practice models

13. How Should Colleges Respond? Best Practices
Commit to the Success of All Students
No disciplinary action for self-injurious thoughts or acts
Involuntary leave infrequently used
Individualized assessment – no blanket policies
Reasonable accommodations – remove barriers
Due process protections / grievance procedure
Suicide Prevention
Provide and encourage counseling
Supportive policies – encourage help-seeking w/o negative consequences

14. Best Practices
Confidentiality: Essential to encouraging students to seek help
Student is the client
Firewall between counseling and administration
Counseling records
Protect privacy - limits on disclosure (return conditions not onerous) can encourage students to share info with family or others
Clear/transparent policies
Recognize school may be the best place to recover
Provide reasonable accommodation
Community-wide interventions

15. Reasonable Accommodation
Provide reasonable accommodations – including voluntary leave and removing barriers to taking leave
I.e.: Allowing students additional time to complete exams
Provide modified deadlines for assignments and exams
Reduce course load or alternate work assignments
Allow excused absences
Allow the student to work from home
Allow the student to drop courses
Allow the student to change roommates or rooms
Allow an aide or helper to stay in the student’s room
Provide retroactive withdrawals from courses if academic difficulties were due to depression or another mental health condition

16. Community-wide Intervention
Behavioral Support Teams / Behavioral Intervention Teams
Provide information sharing and support
Create Caring Environment
Not Big Brother
Threat Assessment:
Stigmatizing
Equates mental illness with violence/dangerousness
Discourages students from seeking help
Unhelpful for majority of cases

17. Opportunities
Unfortunately, many colleges and universities are ill-equipped to address mental health needs of students
Examples of Positive Responses:
- Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act
- Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act:
Grants for comprehensive approach to behavioral health issues, expanding campus mental health services

18. Successes Active Minds – Outreach/Education/Awareness
Riverside City – Dept MH, CA, needs assessment and fund Active Minds chapters & activities
NYU - expanded counseling center
Daytona State - collaborate with faith-based and veterans groups

19. Supporting Students
Bazelon Model Policy
Your Mind. Your Rights.

20. Future Contact The Law Office of Karen Bower Office: (202)503-9093
Cell: (202)
Thank you!