The New Jersey State Senate Higher Education Committee recently approved a bill introduced by Senators Joseph Cryan and Nellie Pou that aims to establish suicide prevention programs on college and university campuses across the state. The bill, S-3207, would require all institutions of higher education in New Jersey to develop and implement comprehensive suicide prevention plans that address the unique needs of their student populations.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students in the United States. In New Jersey alone, there were 103 suicides among individuals aged 15-24 in 2019. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective suicide prevention programs on college campuses.
The Cryan and Pou bill would require each institution of higher education to appoint a suicide prevention coordinator who would be responsible for developing and implementing the campus-wide suicide prevention plan. The plan would include strategies for identifying and reaching out to at-risk students, as well as training for faculty, staff, and students on how to recognize warning signs and respond appropriately.
In addition, the bill would require institutions to establish a protocol for responding to suicide attempts or completed suicides on campus. This protocol would include procedures for notifying family members, providing grief counseling to those affected, and conducting a thorough investigation of the incident.
The bill also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between institutions of higher education and community mental health providers. It requires colleges and universities to establish partnerships with local mental health organizations to ensure that students have access to the resources they need.
The Cryan and Pou bill has received widespread support from mental health advocates, student organizations, and higher education officials. In a statement, Senator Cryan emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of campus suicide head-on: “We cannot ignore the fact that suicide is a growing problem among college students. We owe it to our young people to provide them with the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.”
The bill will now move to the full Senate for consideration. If passed, it would make New Jersey one of the first states in the nation to require comprehensive suicide prevention programs on college campuses. This legislation represents an important step forward in addressing the mental health needs of college students and preventing tragic loss of life.