3357:12-20-09-Suicide Prevention Policy

A.POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to promote the wellbeing of our students and employees. Zane State College, in compliance with House Bill 28 of the 131st                                                                                                                     Ohio General Assembly, is committed to providing students and employees with mental health awareness, information on suicide prevention, crisis intervention access and resources available on and off campus.

 

B.POLICY GUIDELINES

1. Crisis intervention access: in the event of an immediate concern, students and employees are directed to call 911.
2. Students and employees are advised to utilize established resources if they or someone they know are having thoughts of suicide or are experiencing distress.
3. Please contact the Office of Student Services for a current list of resources.
4. These resources will include national, state, and local entities and related resources. The list will further include the following (see 2(a) and (b) below.
5. Mental Health Program access: the following kinds and types of programs are accessible and includes local counseling agencies, resources for students and employees
6. Students who may be experiencing distress, suicidal thinking or may have
7. concerns over someone else’s wellbeing will be directed to the most appropriate resource. Counseling services on campus is located in College Hall in the One Stop for Student Services office.
8. Employees who have thoughts of suicide, experiencing distress or symptoms of depression are directed to utilize the Employee Assistance Program offered through the Office of Human Resources.
9. Local Mental Health agencies are available to provide services for both employees and students. These resources will also be made available.
10. Multimedia applications: Resources will be provided for employees and students through phone application and includes information on warning signs, safety plans, hotlines, resources for Veterans and LGBTQ community.
11. Student Communication plans:
    1. Zane State College provides students and employees with information about mental health awareness topics, including but not limited to, depression and anxiety, suicide prevention resources on and off campus, mental health agencies and any student run organizations for individuals at risk or affected by suicide.
    2. Zane State College provides students and faculty with information regarding mental health topics and suicide prevention through interactive classroom presentations. These presentations include education on mental health disorders relevant to our campus and community population, breaking barriers that prevent someone from utilizing services (free resources, how to schedule an outpatient evaluation), suicide awareness and prevention by looking at risk factors and warning signs and resources. The above information is also provided in a brochure.
12. Postvention plan: Zane State College has developed a protocol of a strategic plan to communicate with students, employees and family after a loss of a person to suicide.
13. Zane State College has the above 1-4 items including specific, current and applicable resources available on the College’s website.

 

POLICY HISTORY

 

Policy established November 2016

Policy approved by President’s Cabinet November 2016

 

D.INITIATING DIVISION

 

Student Services

 

E.POLICY REVIEWERS

 

Office of the Provost; Office of Human Resources

 

F.POLICY REFERENCES

• No forms referenced
• No codified rules
• No connecting policies