Crisis Intervention

Pearl River Community College will provide a crisis intervention program.

Professional Standard

1. If, at any time, a person makes statements indicating to you his/her intention to harm himself/herself or others, you are obligated under ethical standards to notify someone experienced in crisis intervention.

Intervention

2. In the event of a crisis, one or more of the following personnel on the Poplarville campus should be notified: the academic counselors, the career-technical counselors, the campus nurse, or the Assistant Vice President of Student Services. Personnel to be notified at the Forrest County Center include the career-technical counselors or the Vice President of the Center. Personnel to be notified at the Hancock Center include the Assistant Vice President for Hancock Center.
3. DO NOT ALLOW THIS PERSON OR STUDENT TO LEAVE YOUR PRESENCE until a treatment source has been located for the student. If the student has inflicted harm to himself/herself, the campus nurse should also be notified. If you are unable to reach any of the personnel listed above or if the person refuses to stay with you, on the Poplarville campus contact the Assistant Vice President of Student Services immediately and ask them to radio Campus Police to assist you. At the Forrest County Center contact the Vice President for Forrest County Operations. At the Hancock Center contact the Assistant Vice President for Hancock Center.

Confidentiality

4. Make every possible effort to preserve the person's confidentiality both during the episode and afterwards. For example, do not release information of any type to teachers or administrators not directly involved in the crisis situation (excluding the Assistant Vice President of Student Services) without a signed release of information form from the person.

Debriefing Session

5. All personnel involved in the incident should meet to discuss the management of the student, how the process could be improved, and their own feelings and reactions.

Re-Instatement Policy

6. Prior to returning to school, a meeting should be held among school personnel, parent(s) (if applicable), and the student to discuss the transition back into school.

Procedures for Crisis Intervention

It is recommended that these steps be followed in crisis situations:

1. If the student displays or states homicidal or suicidal behaviors, notify one or more of the following personnel on the Poplarville campus: the academic counselors, the career-technical counselors, the campus nurse, or the Assistant Vice President of Student Services. Personnel at the Forrest County Center include the career-technical counselors or the Vice President of the Center. Personnel at the Hancock Center include the Assistant Vice President of the Center.
2. Once assistance has arrived, remain on the scene to provide any additional information or support until it is deemed appropriate for you to leave.

The appropriate personnel will begin to assess the situation and then do the following:

1. Provide intervention and stress problem solving to try and de-escalate the student and situation.
2. If person is a minor (under age 21), make an initial effort to notify parents or relatives and involve them in situation.
3. Attempt to obtain a written release of information from the student to enable a counselor to release name and details to relevant people who are or need to be involved in this situation.
4. If the situation is unmanageable, contact security and refer the student to an appropriate treatment facility. Attempt to contact parent(s) or relative(s).
5. Complete the Critical Incident Report and return it to the Assistant Vice President of Student Services, and, when appropriate, the campus nurse.
6. Appropriate personnel should make a follow-up call regarding the student’s condition.
7. Inform the appropriate administrators of the situation and the steps taken to resolve the situation as soon after the incident as possible.