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My name is April Vallejo, I currently have about 5 years of experiences holding various positions within higher education. I have had the opportunity to begin my career working at a local community college, then transition to a new four year university, then back to my current position as an advisor at a local community college. I have spend most of my experience in higher education working within student services, and mostly in the front end working with students directly. In my current role, I assist undocumented students with the financial aid process, provide scholarship resources, and other helpful community resources available to serve this population of students.
Working closely with students over the years, the recognition of mental health and how important it is has always come up in the process. External factors outside of academia influence a students academic success and retention. Although there are several campus resources for students to turn towards, I am also noticing how important Latino mental health is, and undocumented students may not trust utilizing certain resources or faculty or staff with their situations. The recognition of noticing a student in need of mental health intervention or having trained staff members to notice the signs of a student with suicide ideation are important.
This topic will explore the various ways mental health is important to understand in college students and how to understand the risks and warning signs.

References
Bishop, K. (2014). The relationship Between Retention and College Counseling for High-Risk Students. Journal of college Counseling,19 205-217

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I interviewed the coordinator of the DREAMER program with the Alamo Colleges in San Antonio, Texas. Carmen De-Luna Jones, she has over 10 years of experience working in the workforce training program, and supporting undocumented students. In our conversation, the topic of mental health for undocumented students came up, and she mentioned, "Our undocumented students are our number one priority and getting them in and through college is our top goal, mental health is also concerning for these students because they might not always trust staff members or peers with their circumstances". Another point of concern for undocumented students is the availability of resources, many might not be able to seek out community resources for their mental health problems. The topic of mental health effects education because it impacts retention and student success. An emerging issue is that although Latino students enroll in higher education at higher rates, the retention rates are still very low. Another issue is the constant threat for students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or (DACA) program. There is a constant uncertainty that undocumented or DACA recipients face while attending school. Carmen has been involved in providing various presentations and various on boards in reference to DACA. Best practices include having community partners that also aid in helping undocumented students and providing mental health resources for these students. Implementing helpful methods of intervention to aide in student success and lastly, developing rapport and trust with the students to ensure that they feel supported and know that they have an ally.

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The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators or (NASPA), has 8 focus areas surrounding different areas in higher education. Student wellness and well being are highlighted in these focus areas. College student mental health is crucial towards student success, according to (NASPA, 2019) undergraduate students reported that -14.4% seriously considered suicide, up from 12.7% in the fall of 2018. NASPA proposes commitment to identifying partners, and innovative approaches towards well being at the individual and institutional level.

References
https://nirsa.net/nirsa/wp-content/uploads/nirsa-naspa-2018-health-and-wellbeing-in-higher-education-endorsement.pdf
https://hemha.org/about-hemha
https://www.naspa.org/blog/building-a-community-of-care-mental-health-is-everyone-s-business
https://naspa.org/course/postvention-a-guide-for-response-to-suicide-on-college-campuses

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Kafka, A. (2020, July 23). Grim Topic, Festive Events: Upbeat College Health Fairs Focus on Suicide Prevention. Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://www.chronicle.com/article/grim-topic-festive-events-upbeat-college-health-fairs-focus-on-suicide-prevention/?cid=gen_sign_in
https://www.chronicle.com/article/grim-topic-festive-events-upbeat-college-health-fairs-focus-on-suicide-prevention/?cid=gen_sign_in
Goucher College hosts a Fresh Check day for suicide prevention as a part of the Jordan Porco Foundation which has hosted several Fresh Check health fairs on college campuses since 2012.
During these events, students learn about mental health resources, and learn to watch out for signs of suicide to look out for in their peers

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Inside Higher Ed. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2019/10/29/students-mental-health-shouldnt-be-responsibility-campus-counseling-centers-alone

https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2019/10/29/students-mental-health-shouldnt-be-responsibility-campus-counseling-centers-alone

Mental health and well being should not totally fall  on mental health centers at colleges and universities. Faculty, staff and administrators all must come together to recognize and intervene in mental health crisis in students.
The goal is to provide a network of faculty, staff, peers and campus resources to help students dealing with mental health problems.
The importance and intervention lies in knowing the signs and warnings, rather than relying on a student to be forthcoming with mental health problems.

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Schieszler v. Ferrum College , 236, F. supp. 2d 602 (W.D. V.a. 2002)

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/236/602/2336518/

The case against Ferrum College, freshmen student Michael Frentzel had previous disciplinary actions known to the dean and campus police. The student had previous interactions with campus police involving threats of suicide, as well as self-inflicted bruises. The student sent several notes to his then girlfriend indicating his plans of suicide, to which his girlfriend notified the dean who made Frentzel sign a statement indicating that he will not harm himself. Another note was sent to his girlfriend with similar alarming pleas and the campus police took no further action. After the students girlfriend pressed campus police to check on the student, the student was found in his dormroom hanging by his belt.

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Higher Education Mental Health Act of 2019
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3489/text?r=3&s=1

This act calls for an advisory commission within the department of education to improve mental health support at institutions of higher education. The goal is to provide institutions of higher education with strategies and information to better support mental health issues that college students face.

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Jane V. Iowa (2000)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ia-supreme-court/1053643.html

In this case, the plaintiff's son, Sanjay committed suicide in his apartment, after previous interventions with counseling and notifying their girlfriend.  The student saw a counselor and expressed his suicidal ideation, however, did not give permission for the counselor to notify his parents of this. The counselor let the student know to contact her if he began to have suicidal thoughts again. The court affirmed that there was not a special relationship between the university and the student that obliged the university to prevent the suicide.

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Texas Education Code Chapter 38
Texas Education Agency
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/suicide-prevention-intervention-and-postvention

The Texas Education Agency, under section 38.351. mental health promotion and intervention and suicide prevention. This program suggests that agencies provide an updated list each year with recommended best practice programs and

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Texas Education Code HB. 3980
https://capitol.texas.gov/Search/DocViewer.aspx?ID=86RSB000115A&QueryText=%22suicide%22&DocType=A

This ensures the implementation of suicide prevention programs in schools and the opportunity. To also provide a report of suicide rates in the state to proceed with suicide prevention. Suicide is noted as a public health crisis that affects residents of all ages in the state.

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ACPA College Student Educators International
ACPA Ethical Principles & Standards
https://www.myacpa.org/sites/default/files/Ethical_Principles_Standards.pdf

ACPA Appendix B. Respect Autonomy
Student affairs professionals
respect and promote autonomy and privacy.

This ethical standard may cause a dilemma with a student affairs professional helping a student that has indicated that they are suicidal or have had suicidal tendencies. Although, in most cases, suicide or students dealing with depression most often are hidden, if a student expresses suicidal tendencies or thought, the student affairs professional may need to take things further. As mentioned in the previous case with Jane v Iowa, the counselor maintained the privacy of the student and did not alert the parents of the students tendencies. I only find this standard to be a bit difficult to follow when a student is in distress dealing with severe mental health concerns.

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Wbur. (2018, May 15). Students, Parents And Suicide: What's The Role Of The University? Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2018/05/15/students-parents-university-suicide

https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2018/05/15/students-parents-university-suicide

Understanding the role of the university, parents, and suicide can be difficult, considering that sometimes signs may go unnoticed. The university may try to intervene but in some cases, it is not. The university in the article encourages their staff to engage with their students, but not in a way that violates their right to privacy or autonomy, or even their academic mission which is to build resiliency and independence. There is a question of whether or not to get the family involved, and the university also knows in some instances, the family is the problem. They tread lightly as to not upset the family nor put the student at further risk.

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A Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://www.sprc.org/effective-prevention/comprehensive-approach

https://www.sprc.org/effective-prevention/comprehensive-approach

- Identify and Asses persons at risk.
Suicidal tendencies in some cases are not overtly obvious to faculty, and staff members. It is important to notices subtle warning signs.
- Increase Help Seeking.
It is helpful for those seeking help, to have better access to multiple resources and easier access to support.
- Promote Social Networks and Connectedness.
- Be prepared to respond when a suicide death occurs
- Provide better access to resources on and off campus
Recognize the internal and external factors that contribute to suicide risks.