5.20 – Suicide Prevention and Awareness

A.    Purpose

To establish suicide prevention and awareness resources for the OTC community consistent with RSMo173.1200.

B.    Policy

The college will communicate information regarding suicide awareness and prevention resources to the college community consistent with RSMo173.1200.

C.    Procedures

The college will utilize the following modes to communicate updated information regarding suicide awareness and prevention resources.

Online Resources

OTC will maintain online suicide prevention and awareness resources that include, but are not limited to, the following information:

  • Crisis intervention access, which includes information for national, state, and local suicide prevention hotlines.
  • Mental health program access, which provides information on the availability of local mental health clinics, student health services, and counseling services.
  • Multimedia application access, which include crisis hotline contact information, suicide warning signs, resources offered, and free- of-cost applications.
  • Student communication plans, which consist of creating outreach plans regarding educational and outreach activities on suicide prevention.
  • Post intervention plans, which include creating a strategic plan to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents after the loss of a student to suicide.
  • Applicable free-of-cost prevention materials or programs.

Mental Health Education

OTC students and employees will have access to information about mental health topics, including depression and suicide prevention. In addition to comprehensive online resources, mental health education will be made available in a variety of platforms and will include the following:

  • OTCCares instructional video available on the OTCCares webpages;
  • OTCCares and Counseling Services presentations;
  • Information on college TV monitors;
  • Professional development presentations offered throughout the year;
  • System-wide emails drawing attention to available resources

Student Orientation – OTC will provide incoming students with information about available depression and suicide prevention resources. This information will include on-campus and community mental health services and other support services.

Anonymous Reporting – Through the OTCCares reporting system, reports can be submitted by members of the college community if someone is concerned about the safety and well-being of another individual. Reports can be submitted anonymously.

D.    Definitions

OTCCares is a collaboration of offices and departments throughout the college that exists to
provide strategic assistance and support to students in pursuit of their academic goals and to
promote the safety and wellness of every OTC student

E.    Authority

This policy is maintained under the authority of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

F.    Related Policies

G.    Implementation

Purpose, procedures, responsibilities and definitions approved and adopted by the Cabinet on 02/06/2018 and revised 04/21/2020.

Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on 03/12/2018 and revised 05/11/2020.

Set for review 2023 – 2024