Supporting students: A model policy for colleges and universities

The Bazelon Center offers this model policy to help colleges and universities develop a nondiscriminatory approach to a student who is in crisis because of a mental health problem. The model was developed after consultation with mental health experts, higher education administrators, counselors and students. It places particular emphasis on how to deal fairly and non-punitively with students in crisis, and how to support those whose mental health problems may be interfering with their academic, extracurricular or social lives. It does not, however, attempt to address the full range of activities and services that a college or university should undertake to promote student mental health.