College is a stressful time, and when life stress combines with college stress some students consider suicide as a way to deal with emotions that may feel overwhelming. Because we care about the well-being of every KSC student, we've implemented many different strategies to keep students safe while dealing with the stress of life events. While no institution can guarantee that students will never attempt suicide and no single prevention effort can serve all students, the following are steps based on current best practice approaches.

A trained, professional, and experienced staff of mental health therapists is available to see you. Advanced graduate students interns, closely supervised by the professional staff, are also available. If one counselor doesn't fit your needs, let us know, and we'll schedule you with another counselor.

The Center for Health and Wellness, 3rd floor Elliot Hall, 358-2450, offers free clinic visits with professional nurses and/or doctors for all students. Costs for lab work and prescriptions incurred as a result of the visit are the responsibility of the student.

Psychiatric evaluation and treatment is available on campus through a referral from one of our counselors or nurses.

Emergency appointments during business hours are available for students who are in crisis. Let the receptionist at the Student Counseling Center know you are in crisis and she will arrange for you to meet with a counselor as soon as possible that morning or afternoon.

A Counselor-On-Call is available after hours and on weekends. You can contact the counselor-on-call by calling Campus Safety at 358-2228 and asking them to page the counselor-on-call. The counselor will call you within a half hour.

Campus Safety is on duty 24/7. Our Safety staff can assist you in a number of ways including connecting you with other KSC support staff or with Keene Emergency Services if needed.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene Hospital is available for students who are feeling imminently suicidal and do not feel safe. Transportation to their emergency room can be arranged through Campus Safety. Short-term inpatient hospitalization is available to help you through the crisis and the staff will develop a continuing treatment plan with you.

Consultation is available for any staff, faculty or student worried about another campus member through the Counseling Center, 358-2437.

Referral to professionals in the community is provided when off-campus treatment is preferred by a student, when the Counseling Center Staff is not able to meet treatment needs, and for faculty and staff.

On-Line Screenings for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorders and alcohol misuse are available through the Counseling Center website. Scroll to the bottom of the page to access the screenings.

Campus-wide trainings are offered throughout the year for Resident Directors, Resident Assistants, student leaders, and selected faculty and staff on suicide awareness, prevention and referral skills.

Posters, campus newspaper advertisements, brochures, and other promotional products throughout campus provide students with information about suicide prevention resources and Counseling Center services.

The Critical Incident Support Team (CIST) is available to support students, faculty, and staff after a campus-related death or tragedy. The CIST can respond to classes, workgroups or living groups to help process the tragedy and develop a plan to respond to the event. For more information, contact Judith Putzel at 358-2440.

The Mandated Safety Assessment (MSA) policy requires students who are overtly suicidal to meet with a counselor for 3 sessions to assess the student's safety, develop a safety plan, and connect the student to resources that may be helpful. For more information on the MSA policy, check out the following links: MSA Policy explanation, Suicide Incident Report , MSA Disclosure Statement, and MSA FAQ's.

No Weapons Policy: The possession of firearms, ammunition, and any weapons is prohibited on the KSC campus.

Withdrawal Policy for Medical or Other Emergencies. If a medical or mental health issue or a sudden and catastrophic incident makes it impossible for a student to complete a semester, Keene State College allows students to petition for a Withdrawal. For more information, contact the Student Development Office, 3rd Floor Elliot Hall, 358-2842.