NCJ Number
43703
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 7 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1977) Pages: 15-17
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY'S APPROACH TO THE GROWING PROBLEM OF SEVERE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL STRESS IN ITS STUDENTS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IN JUNE 1976, A GRADUATE STUDENT WHO HAD BEEN UNSUCESSFUL IN HIS ATTEMPTS TO ENTER A DOCTORAL PROGRAM SHOT AND KILLED HIS MAJOR PROFESSOR AND HIMSELF. PROMPTED BY THIS AND SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS INVOLVING SEVERE MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES, THE UNIVERSITY CONVENED A TASK FORCE ON CAMPUS MENTAL HEALTH. THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDED THAT A UNIVERSITY RESPONSE TEAM BE FORMED, THAT CAMPUS AWARENESS OF THE SITUATION BE INCREASED, THAT TRAINING PROCEDURES BE IMPROVED, AND THAT THE UNIVERSITY MODIFY ITS ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES SO AS TO REDUCE FRUSTRATIONS EXPERIENCED BY STUDENTS. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TRAINING PROVIDED UNIVERSITY POLICE PERSONNEL IN HANDLING MENTALLY DISTURBED PERSONS WERE IMPLEMENTED. IN ADDITION, TRAINING SESSIONS WERE HELD FOR 45 KEY PUBLIC SAFETY, STUDENT AFFAIRS, COUNSELING CENTER, AND HEALTH CENTER PERSONNEL, AND SELECTED MEMBERS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND STUDENT AFFAIRS STAFF WERE PAIRED INTO FOUR UNIVERSITY RESPONSE TEAMS. EACH TEAM INCLUDES A COMMISSIONED STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THE TEAMS ASSUME ON-CALL STATUS FOR 1-WEEK PERIODS, DURING WHICH THEY RESPOND TO REPORTS OF EMOTIONAL OR MENTAL CRISES. IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OPERATION, THE RESPONSE TEAMS HANDLED OVER 30 EMERGENCIES, SUCCESSFULLY REDUCING THE TRAUMA AND EMOTIONAL PRESSURES EXPERIENCED BY THE STUDENTS INVOLVED. IN SEVERAL INSTANCES, TRAGEDIES WERE AVERTED BY TEAM INTERVENTION.