focus on issues of mental health

AHEAD continues to express its condolences to the Virginia Tech Community, and to support AHEAD members and colleagues there who are working to restore their campus community.

There has been much discussion, debate and speculation in the media about the young man responsible for the tragedy. Reports of his being mentally ill, autistic or having some other kind of condition have been bandied about by journalists and others. AHEAD can't comment on this since documentation of his having a "disability" as we know it, doesn't seem to be available.

Nevertheless, this tragedy has brought issues related to mental illness, campus security, emergency preparedness and the nature of higher education into the national spotlight. Most troubling are the calls by TV pundits for the repeal of higher education laws and practices, and ADA protection which in their view "tie the hands" of college administrators.

AHEAD, like numerous professional and consumer organizations, believes that accurate information is the primary solution to speculation, assumptions and knee-jerk reactions. We offer the following guidance from a variety of respected sources to help DS professionals dispel myths in assisting college administrators with policy decisions, and most especially to address student concerns.

We welcome your suggestions for resources that you have found helpful as well. Please send your comments, questions or links to Richard Allegra at richard@ahead.org

Professional Practice

AHEAD Special Interest Group (SIG) on psychiatric disabilities
http://www.ahead.org/about/SIGs/psych/psychology.htm

Includes best practice guidelines on documentation and policy development.

Psychiatric Disabilities

Understanding Mental Illness - after the Virginia Tech Tragedy
http://www.samhsa.gov/MentalHealth/understanding_Mentalllness.aspx

A comprehensive gateway to mental health information from the US Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Excellent information regarding myths and facts about mental illness, reducing stigma and campus and public policy, with links to NAMI, APA and other organizations. Highlighted links include:

Violence and Mental Illness: The Facts
http://www.samhsa.gov/MentalHealth/understanding_Mentalllness_Factsheet.aspx

Before You Label People, Look at Their Contents
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA96-3118/default.asp

Press Release from the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=April6&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=45403

ADA

How the ADA Applies to People with Psychiatric Disabilities
http://www.bazelon.org/eeocguid.html

A summary with links to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's guidance on the application of the ADA to those with psychiatric disabilities.

Reasonable Accommodations for People with Psychiatric Disabilities: An On-line Resource for Employers and Educators
http://www.bu.edu/cpr/reasaccom/

A grant-funded site of practical information developed by the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University

Emergency Preparedness and Campus Security

Resources on Emergency Evacuation and Disaster Preparedness
http://www.access-board.gov/evac.htm#Disaster

Extensive instruction and resource links on including accessibility in planning for emergencies.

Emergency Preparedness and Recovery
http://www.nacubo.org/x2748.xml

The National Association of College and University Business Officers comprehensive site for college campus emergency planning.

top of page