Connecticut General Statutes 10a-55x – Campus mental health coalitions. Assessment of mental health services and programs
(a) As used in this section and sections 10a-55y to 10a-55aa, inclusive, and section 7 of public act 21-132*:
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 10a-55x
- another: may extend and be applied to communities, companies, corporations, public or private, limited liability companies, societies and associations. See Connecticut General Statutes 1-1
(1) “Services” or “mental health services” means counseling, therapy, rehabilitation, crisis intervention or emergency services for the screening, diagnosis or treatment of mental illness;
(2) “Programs” or “mental health programming” means education, outreach, research or training initiatives aimed at students for the prevention of mental illness, including, but not limited to, poster and flyer campaigns, electronic communications, films, guest speakers, conferences or other campus events; and
(3) “Institution of higher education” means any institution of higher education in the state, but does not include Charter Oak State College or any institution of higher education that solely provides programs of higher learning through its Internet web site.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2022, each institution of higher education shall establish a campus mental health coalition with representatives from each of its campuses. The campus mental health coalition shall consist of individuals appointed by the president of each institution of higher education, who are reflective of the demographics of the student body at such institution, including, but not limited to, at least one member from such institution’s (1) administration, (2) counseling services office, if any, (3) health services office, if any, (4) senior and mid-level staff, (5) student body, (6) residential life office, if any, (7) faculty, and (8) any other individuals designated by the president, including, but not limited to, a community provider of mental health services.
(c) Each institution of higher education shall ensure that every member of the campus mental health coalition is educated about the (1) mental health services and programs offered at each campus by such institution, (2) role and function of the campus mental health coalition at such institution, and (3) protocols and techniques to respond to student mental illness that have been developed with consideration given to the students’ race, cultural background, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socio-economic status or status as a veteran or service member of the armed forces of the United States.
(d) Each campus mental health coalition shall (1) conduct an assessment of the presence of mental health services and programs offered by the institution of higher education, except such assessment shall not be required for an institution of higher education that is accredited by the International Accreditation of Counseling Services or another nationally or regionally recognized accrediting body for mental health services, (2) review the results of such assessment and develop a plan to address any weaknesses in such services and programs offered by the institution, and (3) review and recommend improvements to (A) the variety of mental health services available to students at the institution, including, but not limited to, on-campus services, telehealth services provided in accordance with section 19a-906, or any services offered through community-based mental health care providers or emergency mobile psychiatric service providers, (B) the comprehensiveness of mental health services available to students, and (C) the campus-wide policies and procedures regarding student mental health adopted pursuant to section 10a-55aa.