Northern Michigan University is Threatening To Punish Students Who Discuss Suicidal/Self-Harm Thoughts With Others..

that's a great idea.. can't imagine what could go wrong with making already at-risk students feel more isolated..

A School is Threatening to Punish Students Who Discuss Suicidal Thoughts

in a letter to a student who had allegedly been sexually assaulted, the associate dean of of students:

It is important that you refrain from discussing these issues with other students and use the appropriate resources listed below. If you involve other students in suicidal or self-destructive thoughts or actions you will face disciplinary action.

Well that's depressing.

GRR Spartan wrote:Well that's depressing.

it seems obvious, to me, that the university is using this sort of threat as a way to manage public relations within the university.

In the comments, someone shared this link: http://www.nmu.edu/mc/current-mental-health-communication

It's not clear to me if they actually changed their policy, or just their form letter. Regardless, it is incomprehensible to me that anyone could have ever thought the policy was a good idea. And it seems like it could open the school up to some legal liabilities if it can be shown that the policy impeded an at risk person from getting help and that person then committed suicide.

Cameron wrote:In the comments, someone shared this link: http://www.nmu.edu/mc/current-mental-health-communication

It's not clear to me if they actually changed their policy, or just their form letter. Regardless, it is incomprehensible to me that anyone could have ever thought the policy was a good idea. And it seems like it could open the school up to some legal liabilities if it can be shown that the policy impeded an at risk person from getting help and that person then committed suicide.

yeah - without knowing the entire history of this particular incident and the evolution of college policy, it's difficult for us to know the exact context in which this unfortunate story has evolved. However, it seems woefully negligent for a university official to suggest to a student - ANY student - to "refrain from discussing these issues with other students and use the appropriate resources listed below. If you involve other students in suicidal or self-destructive thoughts or actions you will face disciplinary action" - much less a student who has experienced trauma of any kind.

Homecoming this weekend 1967 undefeated team getting into the nmu HOF. Great team.