Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of all students at Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine (XUSOVM) by establishing procedures to prevent, assess, intervene in, and respond to suicide risk and suicidal behaviors.
XUSOVM recognizes that:
- Physical, emotional, and mental health are essential components of student success and professional development.
- Veterinary students and healthcare professionals may experience elevated levels of stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicide risk.
- Suicide is preventable, and early identification, intervention, and support can save lives.
- The University has an ethical responsibility to foster a supportive learning environment that promotes student wellness and resilience.
- Comprehensive suicide prevention efforts should include prevention, intervention, postvention, education, and ongoing support.
This policy should be read in conjunction with all student wellness, counseling, disability accommodation, positive learning environment, and student support policies.
Scope
This policy applies to:
- All students enrolled in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Program.
- Faculty members.
- Staff members.
- Administrators.
- Clinical preceptors and affiliated training sites where applicable.
This policy applies to activities occurring:
- On campus.
- During University-sponsored activities.
- During clinical experiences.
- During off-campus educational activities.
- In situations occurring outside the University environment when student safety may be affected.
Prevention
Policy Implementation
The Dean of Student Affairs shall designate a Suicide Prevention Coordinator responsible for coordinating the implementation of this policy.
Responsibilities include:
- Coordinating prevention efforts.
- Facilitating referrals.
- Maintaining educational resources.
- Organizing training programs.
- Coordinating crisis response activities.
Faculty, staff, mentors, and students share responsibility for promoting student wellbeing and reporting concerns regarding students who may be at risk.
Faculty and Staff Training
All faculty and staff shall receive annual training on:
- Suicide risk factors.
- Warning signs.
- Protective factors.
- Crisis response procedures.
- Referral pathways.
- Postvention practices.
- Available mental health resources.
Training should include information regarding students at increased risk, including those:
- Experiencing mental health disorders.
- Experiencing substance use disorders.
- With prior suicide attempts or self-harm behavior.
- Experiencing significant academic difficulties.
- Experiencing personal or family crises.
- Bereaved by suicide.
- Living with chronic illness or disability.
Additional training in risk assessment and crisis intervention may be provided as appropriate.
Student Education and Awareness
Student-centered wellness and suicide prevention education shall be incorporated throughout the curriculum.
Educational activities may include:
- Wellness workshops.
- Resilience training.
- Small-group discussions.
- Guest lectures.
- Peer-support activities.
- Stress management programs.
At least one suicide prevention and mental health awareness session shall be provided annually.
Topics should include:
- Recognition of warning signs.
- Healthy coping mechanisms.
- Stress management.
- Burnout prevention.
- Help-seeking behavior.
- Peer support strategies.
- Available University and community resources.
Publication and Distribution
This policy shall be:
- Included in the Student Handbook.
- Included in faculty and staff handbooks.
- Available on the University website.
- Distributed during student orientation.
All members of the University community are expected to comply with this policy.
Assessment of Program Effectiveness
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding mental health and suicide prevention may be periodically assessed through surveys and other evaluation tools.
Results may be used to improve wellness initiatives and prevention programming.
Intervention
Identification and Assessment of At Risk Students
Any student identified as potentially at risk for suicide shall be referred immediately to:
- Suicide Prevention Coordinator;
- Dean of Student Affairs;
- Faculty Mentor; and/or
- Licensed Mental Health Professional.
Examples of concerning behaviors include:
- Expressions of hopelessness.
- Verbal statements about self-harm or suicide.
- Significant behavioral changes.
- Self-harming behaviors.
- Severe emotional distress.
- Intoxication accompanied by suicidal statements.
Arrange prompt assessment by a qualified mental health professional. When there is immediate danger, contact emergency services immediately rather than waiting for a University appointment.
Immediate Response
When a student is identified as potentially suicidal:
- Stay with the student, or arrange for a responsible person to stay, if it is safe to do so.
- Appropriate supervision shall be maintained until evaluation is completed.
- The Dean of Student Affairs and Suicide Prevention Coordinator shall be notified immediately.
- Appropriate emergency referrals shall be arranged when necessary.
Emergency referrals may include:
- Mental health professionals.
- Emergency departments.
- Crisis intervention services.
- Emergency medical services.
Emergency Situations
If a student presents an immediate danger to themselves or others:
- Emergency services (911) shall be contacted immediately.
- Campus administration shall be notified.
- Efforts shall be made to ensure the student's safety until emergency personnel arrive.
Parent, Guardian, or Emergency Contact Notification
Where appropriate and consistent with applicable privacy laws, parents, guardians, or designated emergency contacts may be notified when a student is determined to be at significant risk.
Notification shall be made by the Dean of Student Affairs or designated representative.
Re-Entry Following Mental Health Crisis
Students returning following:
- Psychiatric hospitalization;
- Suicide attempt;
- Significant mental health crisis; or
- Extended mental health leave
may be required to participate in a re-entry process.
The re-entry process may include:
- Medical clearance documentation.
- Fitness-for-return certification from a licensed healthcare provider.
- Meetings with Student Affairs.
- Academic accommodation planning.
- Ongoing wellness support.
Reasonable accommodations may be implemented as appropriate.
Postvention Following a Suicide Death
Crisis Response Team
The Dean of Student Affairs shall coordinate a Crisis Response Team consisting of appropriate administrators, faculty, counselors, and support personnel.
The team shall:
- Coordinate communications.
- Provide support services.
- Identify at-risk individuals.
- Monitor for suicide contagion risks.
- Coordinate memorial activities consistent with best practices.
Communication
The University shall communicate factual information responsibly while respecting privacy and family wishes.
Communication shall:
- Avoid sensationalizing the death.
- Avoid detailed descriptions of suicide methods.
- Include mental health resources and support information.
- Encourage help-seeking behavior.
Support Services
Counseling and support services shall be made available to:
- Students.
- Faculty.
- Staff.
- Individuals significantly affected by the loss.
Memorial Activities
Memorial activities should:
- Focus on remembrance and healing.
- Promote mental health awareness.
- Include information about available support resources.
Activities that may unintentionally increase suicide contagion risk should be avoided.
Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation
Students seeking counseling, psychological support, psychiatric care, or suicide prevention services shall not face retaliation, discrimination, academic penalties, or adverse treatment solely because they accessed such services.
Information related to mental health concerns shall remain confidential except where disclosure is required to protect the safety of the student or others or is otherwise required by law.
Separation of Health Services and Academic Evaluation
Healthcare professionals providing confidential treatment or counseling must not participate in grading, assessment, promotion, probation, dismissal, or disciplinary decisions concerning the student receiving those services.
Financial Responsibility
Costs associated with medical evaluation, counseling, psychiatric care, emergency treatment, hospitalization, medications, or ongoing treatment shall generally be covered through the student's health insurance or be the responsibility of the student unless otherwise provided by University programs or applicable insurance coverage.
Policy Administration
The Dean of Student Affairs shall be responsible for implementation, monitoring, maintenance, and periodic review of this policy.
The Student Wellness Committee and Handbook Committee shall review this policy at least every three (3) years or sooner if required by changes in best practices or accreditation standards.
Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with this policy may result in review under applicable University policies and procedures.
Policy Contact
Dean of Student Affairs
Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine (XUSOVM), Aruba