For immediate assistance: Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Programs

Student Mental Health and the Law 

Student Mental Health and the LawIssues of law and liability can be challenging as colleges develop policies for and work with students who are distressed or suicidal. With the goal of creating a clear and concise resource for college administrators, mental health professionals, and legal counsels, The Jed Foundation sponsored a one-day, roundtable that brought together leaders in higher education law, administration, and mental health.

The culmination of this event is the document Student Mental Health and the Law, a comprehensive resource developed in collaboration with leading experts in higher education law, administration and mental health. This guide provides clarification of FERPA, disability law and other legal issues colleges face, and includes “good practice” guidelines for addressing campus mental health and working with students in distress. 

 

This resource is a must-read for anyone working on a college campus today and incorporates the most recent pieces of legislation that impact student mental health:  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 and the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

 

It also reflects the recent changes in the Department of Education’s regulations implementing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Download Student Mental Health and the Law.