Mental Health Resources & Crisis Protocol

Academic Year 2024-25

Revised July 2024

Montana State University – Bozeman
Mental Health Resources & Crisis Protocol

Introduction

The Mental Health Resources and Crisis protocol was designed to assist faculty, staff, parents, and students in learning about available resources for managing mental health issues and student crises. Suicide is typically among the second- and third-leading cause of death among college students (CDC, 2022). At Montana State University, we strive to create a culture of support where everyone has a role in suicide prevention, requiring a coordinated effort throughout all components of the university. Many students may not be depressed or suicidal, yet still struggle with anxiety, substance abuse, or other mental health challenges.

When students exhibit warning signs or self-identify with these challenges, it’s important that the MSU community knows how to support them and their continued academic success. Research consistently shows that support from others and getting treatment helps: thoughts of suicide decrease, symptoms are treated, hope is instilled, academics improve, and life gets a bit less distressing. Many students experience struggles at some point during their college career, many of whom reach out to a parent, friend, or trusted faculty/staff member.

Montana State University – Bozeman is committed to suicide prevention, the overall mental health of our students, and providing appropriate services for students in distress. Strengthening existing policies, procedures and prevention efforts also furthers this commitment. College mental health advocacy groups (The Jed Foundation & Jed Campus Program), the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration also recommend the creation of such protocols to further suicide prevention and enhance mental health treatment.

This protocol was written by staff members in Student Wellness: Counseling & Psychological Services (CPS), Health Advancement, and Student Health Services, as well as campus partners in University Student Housing, Office of the Dean of Students, and University Police Department. Additional support was originally provided by the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant #1U79SM061796-01.

Additional Acknowledgements:

Pensacola State College
College of the Holy Cross
The Campus Program
The Jed Foundation
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Higher Education Mental Health Alliance

Whom to Call

University Police 911

Call UPD or Bozeman PD if you are concerned about someone’s immediate safety:

If they are making statements or threats about killing themselves or harming others
If you do not know if someone is safe based upon recent threats or current circumstances
If they leave your presence when in crisis and you are concerned about their immediate safety or the safety of others;
You are unable to reach someone who you know is in crisis or distress.

Law enforcement officers are trained to respond to mental health crises and can initiate a welfare check in emergency situations. When available, the Gallatin Mobile Crisis team also accompanies law enforcement to provide additional mental health assessment.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CPS) 406-994-4531

The CPS staff of psychologists and counselors is available to provide consultation to the MSU community regarding students of concern. They can also provide crisis assessment and intervention during office hours (M-F, 8-5). After-hours services are available to university staff who are training in how to access CPS on-call staff.

Office of the Dean of Students Office (DOS) 406-994-2826

DOS staff can reach out to students who may be experiencing difficulty due to personal, emotional, medical, or academic issues. They can provide necessary support and facilitate referrals for addtional assistance. This is helpful if students are not improving or they are not accessing available resources.

Warning Signs & Risk Factors

The following is a general list of warning signs and risk factors that someone may be struggling with mental health concerns or suicidal thinking. Knowing these can help members of the campus community identify when to reach out to someone.

Intense sadness, depression, or anxiety

Changes in mood or behavior

Decline in academic/job performance

Poor class attendance/participation

Panic attacks in class

Irritability or agitation

Social withdrawal

Threats of harm to others

Threats of harming/killing self

Seeking means of harm/suicide-pursuing access to firearms, available pills, or other means

Verbal statements, class writings social media posts that discuss:

Loneliness or isolation

Hopelessness, worthlessness, or pessimism

Suicidal behaviors, thoughts, or intention

Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge

Engaging in reckless or risky activities

Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out

Increased/problematic alcohol/drug use

Problems with sleep or appetite

A sense of failure, (real or perceived)

Loss-including deaths, relationships, school, jobs, etc.

Belief that there is no reason to live or sense of purpose

Crisis Resources

Bozeman Help Center (24-hr Crisis Line): 406-586-3333

Counseling & Psychological Services (M-F 8-5): 406-994-4531

University Police: 911

Bozeman Health ER & Psychiatric Emergency Services: 406-585-1000

National Crisis & Suicide LIfeline - call or text, 24-hr: 988

Safe Cats App

Members of the MSU Community are encouraged to install the Safe Cats app on their phones or mobile devices. This app provides quick access to emergency resources as well as help and information regarding campus threats, support services, suicide, and referring students of concern.

MSU Assist & Faculty Guide

The MSU Assist Page provides additional information on mental health resources and how to help and refer a student to mental health resources. The Faculty Guide was created by the Faculty Committee for Student Mental Health, and provides additional guidance for how to support and refer students.

Awareness and Prevention

Suicide Prevention/Gatekeeper Training

One of the best ways to prevent suicide is teaching everyone in the community how to recognize warning signs of suicide and how to intervene. Because of the prevalence of suicidal thinking among college students, and because of the supportive role everyone on campus can take as a gatekeeper to help, it is recommended that as many students, faculty, and staff as possible receive this training, and that new faculty/staff receive this training at existing orientation sessions. MSU offers several gatekeeper training options:

ACT to Prevent Suicide

This one-hour training discusses how to recognize signs of mental health distress in yourself and others, and how to ACT: Acknowledge, Care, and Tell. Basic skills and on-campus/crisis resources are discussed. To see our semester schedule, visit our programming page. To schedule a presentation, email the CPS Outreach Team or call us at 406-994-4531.

MindWise On Campus

This 30-minute training teaches students how to recognize signs of distress/suicide and how to provide support and referrals.

Visit the MindWise website and click “Create Account”
Provide name, email, and chosen password and click “Create”
Enter the redemption code MSU and click “Next”
View your dashboard and choose MindWise on Campus - SOS for Higher Ed for Students or for Faculty/Staff.

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that provides instruction on how to support someone with a mental health or substance use problem, and provide support to someone who is having a mental health crisis. Additionally, it provides evidence-based information regarding mental health and substance use problems to help de-stigmatize these issues. Those who attend the course are certified in Mental Health First Aid for 3 years.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

QPR is a 60-minute presentation that teaches how to recognize warning signs and risk factors for suicide, how to instill hope, and how to refer a suicidal person to appropriate mental health care. CPS provides QPR training at various times throughout the semester to the campus community, and is also available to present to faculty/staff/organizations to provide the training for smaller groups.

Suicide Prevention Website

A website is available that outlines prevention efforts and resources at MSU, including risk factors, warning signs, crisis resources, and mental health counseling.

Let’s Talk

Not all students want or need on-going counseling and may just need a one-time meeting to get some input on smaller problems. Let's Talk allows students the opportunity to have a quick consultation with a CPS counselor who can provide their professional insight, as well as assist with referrals to CPS or other campus resources. Students can simply drop in at any of the Let's Talk locations to chat. There are no appointments necessary, and consultations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that Let's Talk services and locations are not intended for crisis situations or on-going counseling.

Project Connect

Project Connect is a peer-facilitated discussion group of 4-6 students intended to foster student connections on campus. Meeting over five, 1-hour sessions, students participate in a series of fun, interactive questions and activities designed to foster connection and community. Peer facilitators are trained by Counseling & Psychological Services staff. To participate in a Project Connect group or to be a facilitator, fill out a student interest form!

Educational/Preventive Programming

MSU provides a wide variety of evidence-based educational and developmental programming to help students navigate their collegiate experience. This programming is designed to provide preventive intervention to help students avoid developing more serious mental health issues, or to help facilitate early intervention and treatment should students experience mental health issues or crises. Seminars on the following topics are available:

Time/Stress Management Study Skills

Coping with Depression Coping with Anxiety

Test Anxiety Substance Use/Abuse

Eating Disorders Body Image

Sleeping Better Relationships

Sexual Violence Prevention Diversity/Multicultural Issues

Relaxation/Mindfulness Physical Health

Mental Health Adjusting to University Life

Nutrition Health/Fitness

Sexual Health/Sexuality Safe Zone Training for LGBTIQ issues

Career/Internship Planning Resume Writing

Financial Planning Maximizing & Motivating Learning

Many of these programs are available at various times throughout the semester, by individual appointment or special invitation to residence halls, classes, or student groups. To see what is available or to schedule a seminar for your group, contact the following offices:

Counseling & Psychological Services 406-994-4531

Student Wellness 406-994-4380

Medical Services 406-994-2311

Dean of Students Office 406-994-2826

Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success 406-994-7627

Career, Internship, & Student Employment 406-994-4353

Campus Recreation 406-994-5000

Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons 406-994-5801

TRiO Student Support Services 406-994-2826

University Student Housing 406-994-2661

Please also consult with advisors or program leaders within your department or organization for additional support or resources!

Student Involvement

Becoming involved in student life is highly encouraged to facilitate social connections and engagement with the campus and community of Bozeman. There are many student organizations, clubs, activities, and volunteer opportunities:

Office of Student Engagement 406-994-2933

Suicide Prevention with Active Minds

Active Minds is a student group whose mission is to promote mental health & wellness on campuses, as well as de-stigmatize mental health issues and counseling. The MSU chapter is advised by staff at Counseling & Psychological Services and hosts various wellness events and awareness campaigns throughout the year. If you're a student who would like to join or learn more, send us an email, we'd love to hear from you!

Student Wellness Health Promotion & Educational Programming

Student Wellness provides alcohol and drug risk reduction, safe sex resources, and general health education, which are all related to one's mental wellbeing. The Basic Needs program within Student Wellness includes theBounty of the Bridgers food pantry that provides supplemental and emergency food assistance to students.

Reducing Access to Lethal Means

Research suggests that reducing access to lethal means is one effective strategy within a comprehensive model of suicide prevention. While we can’t make the entire campus “suicide proof,” we do look for ways, when possible, to reduce access to lethal means for suicide. Firearms are not allowed on campus at any time, except for storage at UPD. Safe weapons storage is available at UPD and can be arranged by calling their non-emergency number at 406-994-2121 or accessing the UPD Weapons Storage page.

There are two locations for prescription drug drop-offs for unused or outdated medications: one at the University Police Department and one in the MSU Pharmacy on the 1st floor of the Student Wellness Center. The MSU Pharmacy also has medication disposal packs available free of charge. Students are encouraged to avail themselves of these services, not only for their own safety but also for the safety of roommates and friends. When students in treatment are at-risk for suicide, means reduction is part of safety planning with their providers.

Identifying Students At-Risk & Accessing Clinical Services

There are multiple venues in which a student may be identified as being at risk for distress, crisis, or suicide, either by self-identification or identification by a concerned party. When such students are identified, MSU staff strives to get help and support for them as soon as possible. This typically involves facilitating access to mental health care at CPS, or a referral to the appropriate campus/community agency for clinical services and care management. MSU students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to reach out and ask students about whom they feel concerned if they are having thoughts of suicide.

Screening for Mental Health Issues

There are multiple venues for students to be screened, either anonymously or in person, for mental health symptoms:

Online Screening Program:

MSU subscribes to an online screening program through Mindwise. Students can take a screening for depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders. The link is customized to provide MSU-specific information and crisis referrals.

In-Person Assessment:

Students can be assessed for any mental health or substance use issues at Counseling & Psychological Services, Student Health Services, or INSIGHT.

Substance Use Education/Screening

Required online Prevention Education:

All new incoming students are required to complete AlcoholEDU, Sexual Assault Prevention and Achieve. These modules provide basic education on use and behavioral intention, and provide referrals to corresponding campus resources.

Alcohol & Drug Education:

The Alcohol & Drug Education program is open to all MSU students, either by self-referral or by referral from an MSU Office. This program provides a voluntary, private resource to assist all students who are impacted directly or indirectly by substance misuse. It also provides alcohol and drug education related to risk reduction, medical amnesty, tobacco, vaping, and marijuana.

Narcan Training

Student Wellness offers Narcan training for students. Training sessions are offered once a month during the semester and involve a one-hour in-person training of both educational and hands-on skills for safely administering Naloxone. At the end of the training and upon completion of the hands-on assessment, students will have harm reduction skills around substance use and the knowledge and skills to administer Naloxone.

University Police (UPD):

As first responders, UPD officers are trained to respond to students at risk, how to access emergency services, and how to refer to appropriate emergency and after-care resources. UPD can be contacted in the event of an emergency when a student’s life is in immediate risk, or the safety of others is in immediate risk. UPD may also be called when the level of risk is unknown, or a welfare check is desired. UPD can provide risk assessment and facilitate further assessment by Counseling and Psychological Services or Gallatin Mobile Crisis (the local mobile crisis response team) as well as transport a student to the local Emergency Department. UPD staff can also directly schedule a student with CPS if they interact with a student after-hours who may need mental health support or follow up. They can also notify the Dean of Students for follow-up support following a crisis.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CPS)

As the mental health agency on campus, CPS is aware of students at risk when they present to CPS, either by self-referral or referral by a concerned party. CPS staff members follow appropriate legal and ethical guidelines when managing suicidal or mental health crises and will manage crises in accordance with best clinical practices. This may include creating a safety plan with a student, obtaining releases of information to consult with individuals/agencies who may be supportive, or, in rare cases, invoke a legally mandated exception to confidentiality to protect the student or others. To access CPS services:

During CPS Business Hours (M-F 8-5):

CPS can be contacted to provide support, guidance, and consultation regarding an at-risk student. Students at imminent risk can be scheduled for a same-day appointment. Referring parties can call CPS or walk a student into the office to request an appointment. CPS staff will assess risk and create a safety and follow-up plan that best meets the needs of the student. CPS staff will attempt to obtain a release of information to follow-up with the referring party to provide some additional support and closure about the student’s well- being.

CPS After Hours Services:

CPS provides 24-hour on-call services to the MSU community to provide consultation regarding students at risk or university crises, as well as on-site assessment or crisis response. University Student Housing, UPD, clients, and other staff or administrators can access on-call services by calling the Bozeman Help Center at 406-586-3333 and requesting contact with the CPS on-call staff.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services routinely administers the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) to students arriving for medical care, and based upon assessment results, the PHQ-9, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is administered.

Students presenting with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation may be referred to CPS, followed by Medical Service providers, or jointly followed. As medical providers, Student Health clinicians are trained to assess/manage risk, and may refer to CPS or appropriate agencies for further assessment or follow-up care if needed. Student Health uses case management and medication treatment to provide ongoing care for students with diagnoses of depression or anxiety. Medical staff work closely with CPS to facilitate warm hand-offs and effectively treat mental health symptoms that may emerge in a primary care setting. They also have a psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner on staff to assist with complex cases, as well as an embedded Behavioral Health Psychologist to assist with consultations and immediate referrals to counseling.

Both located in the Wellness Center, Student Health & CPS are an integrated agency, which facilitates easy communication, consultation, and referrals. A student calling the Student Health main number (406-994-2311) after regular hours has the option to talk to a free nurse advice service. These nurses utilize national protocols and would refer the student to local resources depending on the urgency of the situation.

Office of the Dean of Students (DOS):

The DOS is often notified about students at risk from other campus personnel, students, family members, or community members, either by phone, email, in person during on-call hours, or through an electronic report (CARE referral). The DOS also receives incident reports from University Student Housing and University Police. The DOS follows up on CARE referrals by requesting that the student come in to meet with a DOS staff member, most often a DOS Case Manager. Following such a meeting, the DOS will likely work collectively with a campus multi-disciplinary CARE team that requests releases of information to the appropriate resources (such as Student Health or Counseling & Psychological Services). The DOS makes referrals to CPS to facilitate assessment and treatment for those at risk of suicide, or those who would benefit from counseling. At times, the DOS personnel will walk a student to CPS to be seen for a crisis or urgent appointment. The CARE Team discusses students who may be at risk and makes recommendations for support and referral to campus or community resources.

In situations where an at-risk student is not willing to seek CPS/campus services, the DOS can be contacted to initiate contact with the student of concern. DOS staff can invite that student to a meeting where a referral to CPS or appropriate campus agency can be made. The DOS Office has an on-call staff member available each day to meet with students. DOS staff often reach out to parents or other agencies to support students who are suicidal or in crisis. DOS staff can also be contacted to consult about options for support or to share concerns.

University Student Housing:

Housing staff is required to be trained in suicide prevention and crisis response, and many are also certified in Mental Health First Aid. They receive training in making referrals to counseling/campus agencies, as well as in crisis intervention procedures and after-hours crisis call options. They may also walk students to CPS for same-day appointments or request a CPS staff member to come to the residence hall if the student needs to be assessed on-site or is unwilling to come to CPS. If they are aware of a suicide attempt, they are trained to follow up with the student and offer an expression of concern, as well as the offer to help the student access appropriate resources such as CPS and DOS through the CARE program.

Emergency Department (ED) and Psychiatric Emergency Services

Students who are evaluated at the Bozeman Health ED or PES (located within the ED) and subsequently deemed safe to be released are referred to CPS for after-care. PES staff obtain appropriate releases of information and fax appropriate records. PES staff can directly schedule students for follow up appointments to ensure a next-day appointment is in place for them upon discharge.

Gallatin Mobile Crisis (GMC)

GMC provides mobile crisis response within the Gallatin Valley. They will typically co-respond to a crisis situation or welfare check with law enforcement. On campus, the GMC would join UPD to do a mental health welfare check on campus and would directly refer a student to CPS for ongoing care if the student is not deemed to need a higher level of care. When appropriate, GMC will accompany a student to the ED if there is a need for a higher level of care. GMC staff share records with CPS (if a student has signed a release of information) for ongoing care and coordination of services.

Bozeman Help Center:

The Bozeman Help Center staffs a 24-hour crisis line, as well as provides community referrals. If an MSU student calls the Help Center, they can be referred to CPS or receive crisis response or support as needed. Staff and volunteers at the Help Center offer anonymous support and crisis response and many students access support through them. The Help Center also answers local 988 calls.

MSU Campus Civil Rights (CCR)

CCR will respond to concerns regarding all types of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; it will also respond to concerns of stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. CCR provides education and training, as well as student educators and resource advocates.

MSU Offices of Veteran Services:

The Office of Veteran Services staff members have experience in working with complex issues faced by veterans and military-affiliated students. They often identify veterans who are at risk and provide referrals to CPS, campus agencies, and options in the state or within the Veteran Affairs Administration. Additionally, CPS has a dedicated counselor as a liaison to Veteran Services to facilitate counseling and programming to veteran students and provides embedded counseling services within the OVS space.

Off Campus Student Life

The Office for Off Campus Student Life serves as a referral resource for students to campus and community resources. With experts in food, housing, and legal assistance, they can support students who are finding housing, navigating food insecurity or homelessness, managing a financial crisis, or working through a legal dispute.

Faculty/Staff:

Faculty or staff members may learn of a student in distress in various ways, such as through conversation, student writing, or class assignments. Faculty and staff members can contact CPS or DOS staff for consultation about their concerns and how to facilitate a referral, or they may walk the student to CPS to schedule an appointment. They can also call UPD to conduct a welfare check. Numerous aforementioned resources and opportunities for training exist, including the MSU Assist page and the Faculty Guide for navigating student mental health.

Friends, Family, or Community Members:

Those closest to students at risk may see signs of distress before others do. Students at risk often turn to trusted friends, family, or mentors when experiencing a crisis or distress. Friends and family can call CPS to consult about how to help the student access appropriate resources. They can also call the DOS for assistance in reaching out to the student, or UPD to conduct a welfare check. If the student of concern lives on campus, University Student Housing staff can also be contacted to facilitate a welfare check and referral to campus support services. Friends, family, or community members can contact Insight for support or referrals for students involved in substance misuse/abuse.

Campus Assessment, Response, and Education (MSU CARE)

Nationally, college campuses are seeing growing trends regarding more serious mental health issues and increased unsafe behaviors leading to harm or death. As a result, MSU has created the MSU CARE program. To promote the safety and wellness of the University community, the MSU CARE program addresses behaviors that are disruptive or concerning, which may include mental health and/or safety issues.

MSU CARE has two multi-disciplinary teams: A Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) for higher risk individuals or situations, and the Care Team for lower-risk situations. Both are comprised of university officials with the responsibility of discussing, assessing, and responding to reports of students who are demonstrating disruptive or concerning behaviors. A core group of members meets to assess issues of safety and welfare, and the team is designed as a centralized entity that is proactive in providing swift, coordinated, caring, and developmental interventions to members of the campus community prior to, or following, a crisis.

The MSU CARE program balances the individual needs of the student of concern and those of the greater campus community. A student of concern is any student who demonstrates disruptive or problematic behavior, expresses personal difficulties that interfere with personal or academic functioning, exhibits mental or emotional instability, or otherwise causes members of the campus community to feel apprehension for their own safety, the safety of others, or the safety of the student of concern.

The BIT/CARE teams address cases in a structured and positive way to enhance coordination of services, enact supportive resources, support a student during the disciplinary process, and recommend a plan of action that may include reaching out to the student of concern to offer support and resources. They will also offer follow-up meetings with faculty, staff, and students (as appropriate) to provide ongoing coordination of care to enhance the safety and success of the student of concern. When appropriate, they may include other family members or parents of the student to assist in coordinating care.

Referrals to the MSU CARE program can be made by any faculty, staff, student, or community member who has a concern for a student’s safety or welfare.  Reports can be made directly from the Safe Cats app, or by filling out a Care Referral form.

If necessary, reports can be taken anonymously. In the case of a report of imminent or unusually high risk, the Threat Assessment Investigator with UPD will handle the case and consult with appropriate MSU staff, faculty, or administrators. If you have any questions about the MSU CARE program or threat assessment, please call the Office of the Dean of Students at 406-994-2826.

Academic Assistance

Students who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis, or students who have experienced mental health issues that have impaired their physical, emotional, or academic functioning, have several options for support within the university. These options include: missing class, dropping a portion of their credits, obtaining an incomplete, withdrawing from the university, obtaining a leave of absence, and/or working with MSU’s Office of Disability Services to discuss the possibility of reasonable accommodations. Anyone interested in learning more about these processes can call the Office of the Dean of Students for assistance.

Documentation of Mental Health Crisis or Mental Health Issues:

As students seek assistance with their academic issues through the University, they are often encouraged to provide documentation from those with whom they have a previous or on-going treatment relationship (clinicians within Student Wellness or in the community), or from university staff who have historical knowledge of the student’s issues (e.g. Office of the Dean of Students). Please note that clinicians or university staff cannot provide documentation for past events or symptoms of which they have no knowledge or history. If a student seeks documentation by someone without this knowledge/history, a clinician or staff member can only provide documentation based upon the student’s current status and report, which may not be sufficient to document a crisis or on-going mental health impairment.

Leave of Absence:

If a student has experienced an acute crisis or chronic mental health issues (e.g. severe depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, substance use, homicidal ideation, etc.) to the extent that it disrupts personal/academic functioning, threatens the safety of self or others, or causes behavioral disruption, a leave of absence may be recommended. In cases when behavior (unrelated to mental health issues) is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, students may be mandated to leave or be suspended from the university. This may be recommended by the Dean of Students or other university staff/faculty. This is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the at-risk student, as well as other members of the MSU community.

Re-Entry:

MSU values the health, well-being, and academic success of all students, and will work with students as they endeavor to return to school following a leave of absence. The re-entry process will be discussed as the student leaves the university on their leave, and each case will be evaluated depending on the unique needs and situation for each student. Re-entry may include a meeting with the non-clinical case manager at the Office of the Dean of Students, and/or submission of documentation of assessment/treatment and readiness to return to school. The re-entry process is intended to ensure that students have appropriate resources in place, which might include on-going counseling, meetings with staff in the Office of the Dean of Students, or support from other campus/community resources. MSU is committed to maintaining an environment free of discrimination of any type. Please see MSU’s non-discrimination policy.

Medical Amnesty

In an effort to further promote health and safety, MSU has adopted a Medical Amnesty policy to encourage students to seek medical assistance for medical emergencies involving substance use. In summary: Students are expected to immediately seek assistance from a University Official, medical services,or law enforcement if an individual needs medical attention, or if someone is too impaired from substance use to seek medical help on their own. Students who seek out and fully comply with emergency personnel will not be subject to disciplinary sanctions when alcohol or drug policies have been violated.

Postvention: Responding to a Student Death or Suicide

The death or suicide of a student can have a profound, wide-reaching effect on the campus community. A standard, postvention protocol for responding to a student death provides support for the grief response of those impacted, helps to restore stability to the campus environment, and, in the case of suicide, can potentially mitigate the risk of additional suicide attempts, completions, or suicide clusters.

It is important that affected members of the campus community receive information in the event of a student death. This includes grief counseling, crisis response, counseling/crisis resources, and education about grief, loss, and suicide.

Campus administrators and CPS work collaboratively to identify students and others who may be impacted by the death and provide immediate grief counseling and crisis support. They will also work with faculty and other students to identify additional students to notify and/or provide support.

Everyone responds differently to a loss, and many internalize their feelings and reactions and can appear “fine.” Postvention response helps to facilitate the grieving process, lets students know their available options for support, and aims to minimize the risk of any crises or suicides that may stem from the initial death. Also, it lets the community know that MSU is supportive of them during this time, even if they choose not to utilize the services offered. This Postvention Plan outlines the university response to a student death or suicide to ensure the response is sensitive, consistent, respectful, and systemic.

Campus Response

After learning of a student death or suicide, the Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) will serve as a communications hub to facilitate a university response by notifying the appropriate offices/individuals. Students with the same name should also be notified, to avoid possible misinformation; they should be advised to alert friends and family of their well-being to avoid unnecessary stress, panic, or worry. Representatives from Student Success are available to provide consultation to the President, University Communications, and others as needed regarding the notification of the death.

Campus-wide notification regarding a student death or suicide is typically not provided unless there is a threat to the safety/security of others. Safe messaging guidelines and suicide prevention experts recommend this for several reasons, including:

Mitigation of trauma/risk by hearing about a death in this manner
Reducing the likelihood of suicide risk/contagion amongst those vulnerable to such actions
Avoidance of notifying or potentially upsetting individuals who are not directly impacted
Ensuring those notified are provided or aware of crisis and grief support information
Respecting the privacy and confidentiality of the individual and their family

Students are encouraged to seek support from CPS or appropriate university staff, and to refrain from posting on social media or speculating about cause of death. Keep in mind that legal and medical teams work to secure the location, identify cause of death, and notify family. This process can take some time, and it would be tragic for family or friends to learn of the death of their loved one via social media. Students who are impacted by a student death are able to receive support from CPS, as well as work with university staff to identify other students who may be impacted and in need of support.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CPS):

The DOS will notify the CPS Director, Assistant Director, and/or Suicide Prevention Coordinator of the student death. The DOS also notifies the student’s academic department in which the student was enrolled and any other known groups who would benefit from outreach (i.e., residence halls, clubs, organizations, etc.). If necessary, the death can be reported after-hours by using the CPS on-call system.

CPS will provide outreach (including after-hours) to those identified by DOS or other MSU staff/students as being impacted by the student death. This outreach includes:

Consultation about how to notify professors, staff, or other students when appropriate.
On-site grief counseling/crisis response for faculty, staff, students.
Information about grief, loss, or suicide.
Resources available for counseling, or crisis/suicide.

Student deaths often have a large or wide-reaching impact, so as other individuals or groups are identified, it is imperative that CPS be made aware of them so that as many individuals as possible receive this outreach.

CPS will offer on-site grief counseling and crisis response, as well as be available for walk-in services in the days following the student death and community notification. Services will be available to faculty, staff, and students, as well as to parents/non-students (as appropriate).

In addition to educational/prevention materials regarding grief, loss, and suicide, it may also be useful to provide psychoeducational or preventive materials when causes of death include suicide, preventable accidents, alcohol/drug use, violence, car accidents, etc., as appropriate.

Student’s Academic Department

The DOS will notify the student’s academic department and often includes CPS in this communication. This facilitates notification, as well as helps identify those who could benefit from grief counseling and crisis response. The Dean or Department Head should notify other faculty, staff, or students as appropriate. The members of that department can consult with DOS and/or CPS for support and guidance in this process. Academic Departments should work collaboratively with DOS and CPS to facilitate appropriate notification, grief counseling, and crisis response.

University Student Housing

If the student was a resident in on-campus student housing, the DOS should notify appropriate University Housing staff. CPS, DOS, and University Student Housing staff will work collaboratively to ensure timely notification and grief/crisis response, as well as to identify additional students or groups who may be impacted.

Family Contact

Communication with the family should be respectful of their needs and emotions. Information about the student death and circumstances surrounding it should not be disclosed to the campus community until the family has been notified and consulted. In discussions with the family, university officials may determine their preferences about what is or is not disclosed to the campus community regarding the death of their student and any funeral or memorial arrangements they’d like to communicate to the campus community.

When the student died by suicide, it can be helpful to inquire if this information can be shared in order to keep other students safe and to help prevent additional suicides due to suicide clusters. If the family refuses to permit disclosure of the cause of death, campus communication should read: “The family has requested that the circumstances of (student’s name) death not be shared at this time.” Regardless of the cause of death, referrals to counseling and 988 should be provided in case cause of death isn’t known or family doesn’t want the suicide or cause of death to be released.

Campus Media

Campus and student media should look to CPS to provide direction on risks and guidelines when reporting a campus suicide. Because of the risk of suicidal imitation or contagion by vulnerable individuals, it is imperative that media follow recommendations about how to report/discuss a student suicide in order to mitigate risk. This may entail breaching typical journalistic practices by allowing a mental health professional or suicide prevention specialist to proofread a story to ensure reporting is accurate and free from language that would increase community risk. Collaboration with campus/student media can also facilitate communication about postvention efforts and educational/support resources.

Additional recommendations and resources for reporting on suicide are also helpful to access.

Social Media

Because of college students’ high utilization of social media, it is important to consider how it can be utilized when implementing postvention strategies. Distributing educational information about grief, loss, and suicide prevention via social media can be an effective and efficient strategy, particularly when students are using social media to discuss a recent student death. Counselors and campus officials should distribute relevant information and resources via social media, as well as monitor (when possible) comments from individuals connected to the bereaved.

If individuals voice suicidal thoughts/comments via social media, or indicate acute distress, they should be referred to CPS or DOS for support. The Dean of Students Office can also be notified to enable staff to reach out to a student of concern. If you are unsure about their safety or believe that they may be imminently at risk to themselves or others, call 911 to initiate a welfare check.

While not an alternative to immediate, life-saving action, many social media sites have a system for reporting suicidal threats or content when identifying information may not be known: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter; Snapchat; Tumblr (select Suicide or Self-Harm); Reddit; TikTok *

*Due to the MUS policy banningTikTok on campuses, you will not be able to access the TikTok URL from campus; use your cell phone network or private wifi.

Memorials and Posthumous Degrees

When considering memorial events, it is important to consider the need to honor the deceased, while also being mindful of the risk of the contagion effect with suicide. Consultation with the family, campus departments, and university organizations is encouraged when considering whether or not to hold a memorial event. Responses to a suicide death should be similar to those of other student deaths. Representatives from CPS may be in attendance at memorials for students who died by suicide to offer resources, offer consultation to those leading the memorial about how to appropriately address the suicide, and to respond to those in distress. It is also important to recognize that grief is a natural human emotion in response to loss and not necessarily indicative of a need for professional services. Encouraging students, faculty, and staff to talk with each other and reach out for support is an important part of the grieving process.

MSU has a posthumous degree policy . If the deceased student meets the requirements, MSU may recommend to the Board of Regents that a posthumous degree be awarded.

Following a Suicide

Public memorials, in person or online, can potentially affect the suicide risk of others by influencing survivors to imitate or model the suicidal behavior of the deceased student. When the cause of death is suicide, it is important not to over-emphasize or glamorize the state of “peace” the deceased may have found through death. The quality of the afterlife, contrasted with the emotional pain or suffering the suicidal person may have experienced, should not be emphasized in a public gathering or online. The lure of finding peace or escape through death may add to the attractiveness of suicide for those who might be experiencing similar struggles. Similarly, suicide should not be normalized by interpreting it as a reasonable response to distressful life circumstances.

These risks can be mitigated by emphasizing the positive accomplishments of the deceased student, separate from the cause of death. Further emphasis can be placed on the need to support those with mental health issues, the need to remove stigma and prejudice for mental health treatment, and empowering help-seeking. This serves to motivate the community to support its members, rather than contribute to its collective guilt.

Online Memorials and Discussion

Students often turn to the deceased student’s social media pages to post comments, tributes, pictures, etc. It can be helpful to post information about available resources on the deceased student’s pages, or on the pages of survivors. Posting the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) is one way to ensure that those in need have access to a free service, around the clock, and across the nation. Notification and social media discussions should not discuss the method of suicide or glamorize suicide in any way.

Appendix:

References:

American College Health Association (ACHA). (2017). ACHA National College Health Assessment II: Reference Group Executive Summary. Spring, 2017.

Centers for Disease Control. (2022). Web-based injury query and reporting system.

Higher Education Mental Health Alliance. (2018). Postvention: A guide for response to suicide on college campuses.