Student Handbook

3.32 Suicide Threat Response and Prevention

A. Response to suicidal ideation or suicide attempt

Contact by Student

Student Guidance Coordinator will provide support as appropriate.
Student Guidance Coordinator will contact local mental health services, as appropriate.
Student Guidance Coordinator will complete a CARE Team report.
Student Guidance Coordinator will notify family member, as identified on Release of Information form (FERPA release), as appropriate.

Non-life threatening attempt/ideation

Immediate Referral to Student Guidance Coordinator and the CARE Team. Responder escorts student to Student Guidance Coordinator
Student Guidance Coordinator Commitment to Action

  1. Contact local Mental Health Service Provider, as appropriate, for further instruction
  2. Notify family member, as identified on Release of Information form
  3. Student makes a commitment to follow-up with Student Guidance Coordinator
Life threatening attempt/serious ideation

Staff member receiving initial notification shall contact 9-1-1
Assessment by police or paramedic to determine whether or not to transport to Sterling Regional MedCenterStaff member receiving initial notification shall contact Student Guidance Coordinator and/or Vice President of Student Services and complete a CARE Team referral.

Student Guidance Coordinator, police, or medical personnel shall contact local mental health service provider. Student Guidance Coordinator will complete a BIT referral if not previously completed by other staff member.
Vice President of Student Services shall notify family member or other person, as identified on Informed Consent form. If consent form is not on file, parent or next closest relative shall be notified, as determined by Vice President of Student Services.

  1. Upon receiving medical clearance, student shall follow-up with mental health service provider .
  2. Student will follow-up with NJC Student Guidance Coordinator to include a minimum of four sessions.
  3. Notice to instructors will only be given upon student consent and/or request.
  4. Student may return to residence hall, upon clearance from mental health service provider.
  5. Depending of the situation, the Vice President of Student Services may specify further conditions for continuing enrollment. The student will be expected to cooperate with college personnel in taking any necessary measures to reduce the likelihood that a suicide attempt will be made.

B. Response to a completed suicide

  1. In the event of a suicide of a student, the staff person receiving initial notification shall notify police immediately.
  2. Staff person receiving initial notification will notify the NJC Vice President of Student Services who assumes responsibility for contacting parents, and other emergency contacts.
  3. The Vice President of Student Services, in consultation with college and system policy, Housing and Residence Life staff, and Student Guidance Coordinator shall assess impact populations (i.e. roommates, other residents, academic departments, teams, clubs or other groups of individuals who may be affected by the incident).
  4. The Vice President of Student Services or designee shall coordinate the response efforts, as needed to work with affected populations.
  5. The President or Vice President of Student Services or designee, upon receipt of notification, shall implement its “Death of Student” procedures, providing appropriate notice to administrative and academic offices and campus news outlets.

C. Prevention of suicide

The college offers numerous educational programs to students and staff as well as crisis management training of key personnel. The NJC Student Success and Student Life departments continue to promote suicide prevention across campus through programming, emails, poster campaigns, and other methods.