Addressing Mental Health Resources for Community Members

Addressing Mental Health Resources for Community Members

Statement:

Mental health crises are becoming more and more common on campus. Campus public safety personnel encounter persons exhibiting signs of mental health distress more frequently and during hours when mental health staff members are off-site or unavailable.  Proper training in recognizing and responding to mental health calls and crises is vital to ensuring the safety of potential patients, bystanders, and to responding public safety personnel. Furthermore, proper management of mental health calls by public safety personnel encourages community members to think of campus safety professionals as a vital resource during such crises.

What Is Needed:

• Training and systems within agencies and the campus community to respond to and address community mental health concerns.
• Crisis Intervention training and additional support from federal agencies.
• Access to 24-hour mental health resources for community members as well as resources to advise campus public safety professionals during acute mental health situations.