A bill is being proposed in Ohio that would require community colleges and universities to have suicide prevention programs on and off campus.
The proposal calls for access to mental health programs and crisis intervention, such as a hotline. Colleges would need plans for telling students about prevention activities and communicating with students, staff and parents after the loss of a student to suicide. The Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services would post free materials online to help schools meet the requirements. Republican State Representative Marlene Anielskico-sponsored the measure. She lost her son to suicide in 2010. Anielski says students need to know that programs and help are available to them should they find themselves struggling.