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SUICIDE PREVENTION AT STATE COLLEGES

Herald News (Passaic County, NJ) - 6/6/2016

A BILL THAT would ensure stronger suicide prevention services at New Jersey colleges could substantially help with students' mental health issues, but it must be implemented efficiently.

The Assembly Higher Education committee advanced the Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act last week. Holleran was a track and soccer star at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale who committed suicide in January 2014 while attending the University of Pennsylvania.

The bill requires colleges to have people trained in treating mental health issues with an emphasis on suicide prevention available 24 hours a day either on campus or via telephone. The schools would also have to tell students about these services by email at the start of each semester and work with the faculty and staff to recognize warning signs and risk factors for student suicides.

Holleran's death received national attention, and left many wondering how someone seemingly living a happy, successful life could feel overwhelmed or depressed enough to commit suicide. According to a 2015 New York Times report, she was the third suicide at Penn in a 13-month stretch. The report cited two other schools, Tulane University and Appalachian State, with multiple suicides last year.

With all the different pressures teenagers deal with as they adjust to college life, this 24/7 service could be a valuable and needed resource. Some colleges may already offer mental health programs, and there are also national organizations that students can access. But this bill would make sure all schools have substantial services in place.

Legislation and new public policies won't prevent every potential situation. And students will still need to seek the help.

But it's also important to consider what this will cost. State college budgets are stretched with cuts in student services, so it was good to see the Higher Education committee make two amendments to the bill before passing it to the full Assembly for a vote. Originally, the 24-hour services had to be available just on campus and be from a licensed health care professional.

It would be ideal if all colleges have someone ready to help in a face-to-face setting, but that could prove prohibitively expensive. While they should make the effort to have just that, letting the support come by phone could allow state schools to share a call center. That would make this more affordable while still providing full coverage.

The other amendment also makes this more feasible. Having an experienced licensed mental health professional always available would be ideal, but perhaps not realistic for every college. Other individuals with the proper training on how to handle someone considering suicide can provide initial support to help in a moment of crisis. And if they feel it's necessary, they can contact local emergency services for immediate, professional help.

Some schools may be able to provide stronger services than this on their campuses, but the bill would at least set a statewide standard.

Holleran's death, as well as that of a high school classmate of hers less than six months later, shocked the local community that watched them shine throughout high school. Other towns around New Jersey and the country have felt a similar grief.

There is no absolute number of suicides this bill might prevent each year, but even one less suicide makes it worthwhile.