3.26 Suicide Awareness and Prevention

(Adopted 10-1-2018)

East Central College encourages students to maintain a reasonable concern for their own health and safety. Therefore, the College will take action in accordance with this Policy to create awareness in the area of suicide prevention and response, consistent with Missouri Revised Statutes 173.1200.

Procedures: (Adopted 10-1-2018; Revised 12-6-2021)

3.26.1 The following definitions apply to this Policy:

Suicide – Death from an injury which is self-inflicted and by which the student intended to kill themself.

Suicidal Behavior – Any potentially injurious behavior which is self-inflicted and by which a student intends, or gives the appearance of intending, to kill himself or herself.

Suicide Threat – Any interpersonal action, verbal or non-verbal, that a reasonable person would interpret as communicating or suggesting that suicidal behavior may occur in the near future.

Suicidal Ideation – Any self-reported thoughts or feelings about engaging in suicidal behavior.

Suicide Plan – A proposed method of self-inflicted injury through which the potential and intentional outcome is death.

3.26.2 When a student in the College community is facing a crisis, the entire College can be affected. It is critical that a basic framework exist to enhance coordinated efforts that protect the safety and well-being of the student in crisis and each member of the campus community. In the event a member of the College community learns, either directly or indirectly, that a student has a) engaged in suicidal behavior, b) communicated a suicide threat, or c) exhibited warning signs for suicide, that student should be referred for assistance according to the appropriate College procedure.

3.26.3 Suicidal Behavior

Any member of the College community who learns that a student has just engaged in, is in the process of engaging in, or is about to engage in suicidal behavior, should immediately report this behavior to emergency personnel by calling 911. If possible, provide responding emergency personnel with any pertinent information that is known about the student.

Contact the Chief Student Affairs Officer as soon as possible at (636) 584-6565 or via email if after business hours. The CSAO may then consult, activate, and/or convene other Behavioral Intervention Team members to help coordinate information, identify support strategies, and implement a follow-up action plan.

If the CSAO is not available, contact the Director of Advising & Counseling at (636) 584-6581 or via email if after business hours. In Rolla, contact the Coordinator, Student Success at 573-466-4081 or via email if after business hours.

After the threat has passed, fill out the incident form available online at: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?EastCentralCollege

3.26.4 Suicide Threat

Any member of the College community who learns that a student has communicated a suicide threat should contact the CSAO as soon as possible at (636) 584-6565 or via email if after business hours. The CSAO may then consult, activate, or convene other Behavioral Intervention Team members to help coordinate information, identify support strategies, and implement an action plan.

After the threat has passed, fill out the incident form available online at: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?EastCentralCollege

A student who has communicated a suicide threat may be required to be assessed by a mental health professional to determine the level of suicide risk. The assessment may be performed by a mental health professional in the community or a crisis worker at a hospital emergency room.

All suicide threats should be taken seriously. In every case, a trained professional should evaluate the validity or imminence of a potential suicide threat.

If at any point it seems reasonable to assume that suicidal behavior is imminent, especially if the student is uncooperative with attempts to help, call 911 or Campus Police at (636) 584-6600. Share the student’s name, description, details of the suicide threat, and location/destination (if known). Police officers can check on the student and take them into custody, as appropriate, to be evaluated for suicidal risk.

3.26.5 Warning Signs of Suicide:

Any member of the College community who learns that a student is exhibiting warning signs of suicide but has not engaged in suicidal behavior or communicated a suicide threat, should contact the Director of Advising & Counseling at (636) 584-6581 for consultation and support, especially if the student is exhibiting suicidal ideation. The CSAO should also be notified.

If Advising & Counseling is closed and the CSAO is not available, call one of the following suicide prevention hotlines:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255
Eastern Missouri Behavioral Health Response Crisis Line (314) 469-6644

If unable to receive assistance, call 911.

A student may be referred directly to Advising & Counseling for counseling services and encouraged to make an appointment on their own. However, a call may be made to Advising & Counseling on behalf of the student to alert the counselor of the situation. In Rolla, contact the Coordinator, Student Success at 573-466-4081 or via email if after business hours.

After the threat has passed, fill out the incident form available online at: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?EastCentralCollege

The most common warning signs of suicide include:

Ideation: talk of suicide, researching suicide means, preoccupation with death

Substance abuse: increasing abuse of drugs or alcohol

Purposelessness: lacking meaning or purpose, having no reason to live, a sudden loss

Anxiety: restlessness, inability to sleep, panic, and anxiety

Trapped: feeling there is no way out, stuck in unbearable pain

Hopelessness: depression, despair, feeling like a burden to others

Withdrawal: isolating oneself from friends, family, or others; feeling alienated

Anger: exhibiting uncontrolled rage or wanting to seek revenge

Recklessness: thoughtless or impulsive engagement in risky activities

Mood changes: displaying extreme or dramatic changes of mood or behavior

Other: getting affairs in order, having a suicide plan, past suicide attempts

3.26.6 Post Intervention Plans

In the event the College community is impacted by the death of a student, including a student whose death is caused by suicide, the College has developed a communication plan to address a variety of issues that may be caused by this type of loss. This plan includes reminding members of the College community about existing support and mental health resources, including resources related to suicide prevention.

3.26.7 Resources, Education, and Training

The counseling staff in Advising & Counseling will maintain current information about the availability of local mental health clinics, student health services, and counseling services that can assist with suicide prevention and intervention. This information will be made available on the College’s website.

Further education and training in identifying and assisting emotionally distressed and at-risk students can be provided by the counseling staff in Advising & Counseling and is available upon request. To inquire about training, contact the Director of Advising & Counseling at (636) 584-6581. In Rolla, contact the Coordinator, Student Success at 573-466-4081.