Suicide

Suicide Procedure 

Suicide Attempt in College:

• Attempt to calm down suicidal person.
• Call 231-348-6605 during business hours or 231-439-6385 after business hours to notify Administration of the incident.
• Try to isolate suicidal person from other students.
• Stay with the person until counselor/suicide intervention arrives. Do not leave suicidal person alone.
• Notify college psychologist/counselor and other qualified personnel.
• The College Incident Commander or designee notifies family members if suicidal person is student.
• Determine method of notifying staff, students and family members and debrief incident with staff.
• VP of Student Affairs will activate the District’s CISM to implement post-incident intervention if necessary.

Suicidal Death/Serious Injury:

• Call 9-1-1.
• Call 231-348-6605 during business hours or 231-439-6385 after business hours to notify Administration of the incident.
• The College Incident Commander or designee activates Crisis Management Team.
• Notify staff in advance of next college day following suicide or attempted suicide.
• Determine method of notifying students and family members, and do not mention “suicide” or details about death in notification.
• The College Incident Commander or designee notifies family members if suicidal person is student.
• Do not hold memorials or make death appear heroic.
• Protect the privacy of the family.
• Implement post debrief intervention.

Intervention:

• Call 9-1-1.
• Call 231-348-6605 during business hours or 231-439-6385 after business hours to notify Administration of the incident.
• Meet with college counseling staff and other qualified mental health personnel to determine the level of intervention for staff and students.
• Designate rooms as private counseling areas.
• Escort siblings, close friends and other “highly stressed” students to counselors.
• Assess stress level of staff and recommend counseling to overly stressed staff.
• Refer media to VP of Marketing and Strategy, and do not let media question students or staff.
• Follow-up with students and staff who received counseling.
• Resume normal routines as soon as possible.