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POLICY: 

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When a student, employee, or other person on the University campus is observed exhibiting unusual or dangerous behavior, which could result in serious bodily harm to self or to others, the Suffolk University Police Department (SUPD) should be contacted immediately at 617-573-8111.

Employee intervention

SUPD may call the Boston Police and will call Boston EMS to assess the employee for transport to Acute Psychiatric Services located at the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department. Human Resources will be notified by SUPD.

Student intervention

After assessing the situation, University Police should encourage the student in crisis to either voluntarily seek assistance in the Counseling, Health & Wellness (CHW) Counseling Center and escort the student to the CHW Center and/or call Boston EMS to assess the student for transport to Acute Psychiatric Services located at the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department. SUPD will notify the Dean of Students office regarding their response to student psychological crises. CHW will follow their policies on voluntary and involuntary commitments.

During business hours for student interventions:

If transported to CHW Counseling, a CHW Counseling Center staff member will take responsibility for assessing whether the identified student should receive services at CHW Counseling or whether the student should be referred for hospitalization or for a psychiatric evaluation off-campus. In each instance, CHW Counseling shall assume responsibility for evaluating the student, overseeing the referral to a designated treatment facility, and, if appropriate, for future case management.

During evening hours and on-weekends for student interventions:

The CHW Counselor on Call will provide consultative services to Residence Life and Summer Programs and Dean of Students staff and to University Police regarding students who are at risk to self or to others and needed steps for appropriate mental health treatment. 

Once the safety of a student with a psychological emergency has been assured, members of the staff of CHW Counseling Center will be available when appropriate to provide necessary after-care services. Those services may include on-site psychological support for individuals and groups affected by the emergency, including roommates, suitemates, and floor mates of the student in crisis, as well as for the resident assistants involved in managing the emergency. Follow-up consultations with family members, classmates, and faculty/administrators regarding a student situation will also be provided, in both individual and small group settings, as appropriate. At the invitation of faculty or at the recommendation of University administrators, including the Dean of Students, members of the CHW Counseling staff will also be available to speak to classes on issues related to crisis management and crisis resolution. The Director of the Counseling Center will also provide appropriate and necessary information to the Incident Support Team for assistance in processing and resolving the University’s response to campus emergencies.