WVU Jamie's Law Report (Fall 2024)

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West Virginia University
Report on Jamie’s Law
W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7
&
Suicide Prevention Programs and Available Resources
On and Off Campus
Fall 2024

I. Introduction & Background

In 2015, the West Virginia Legislature passed House Bill 2535, which, among other things, created W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7 and was known as “Jamie’s Law.” The stated purpose of the introduced bill is as follows:

[T]o expand the number of people who are trained in suicide prevention in order to maximize the possibility that at risk children and adults can be saved. School personnel from middle school through college will not only be trained, they will provide children and young adults with suicide prevention information, facilitate discussion about preventing suicide and make mental health resources available. Licensed medical professionals will be required to obtain education in suicide prevention as part of their licensing process. ¹

Then, on June 5, 2015, the West Virginia University Board of Governors resolved to approve a motion to develop and implement a plan to comply with Jamie’s Law. As part of the plan, the University adopted WVU-PD-7, Threat Assessment, Behavioral Intervention and Suicide Prevention.

In summary, the law provides that WVU “shall develop and implement a policy to advise students and staff on suicide prevention programs available on and off campus . . .” The policy shall include, but not be limited to, crisis intervention access, mental health program access, multimedia application access, student communication plans, and post-intervention plans. Additionally, the law requires WVU to provide all incoming students with information about depression and suicide prevention resources; post the required information on the university website, along with any free-of-cost prevention materials or programs; and, more recently, requires WVU to print certain information on student identification cards.

The purpose of this report is to outline the requirements of Jamie’s Law and the University’s efforts to further it. Each section below highlights WVU’s efforts to implement Jamie’s Law. Any questions or comments about the report, can be directed to Dr. T. Anne Hawkins, Director, Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.

II. Crisis Intervention Access ²

The following Suicide Prevention Hotlines are available to members of the University community:

Suicide Prevention Hotlines	Availability	Call or text	Web browser
National Suicide Prevention Hotline	24/7	Dial or text 988	https://988lifeline.org/chat/ in a web browser
Carruth Center in-person Urgent/Crisis Clinic	8:30am – 5:00pm (M-F)	304-293-4431	https://carruth.wvu.edu/emergency https://carruth.wvu.edu/resources/if-you-are-concerned
Student After-hours line	24/7	304-293-4431, press 1 to connect with ProtoCall OR on-call clinician
Crisis Text Line	24/7	Text “WVU” to 741741 w/ crisis counselor OR Text “HOME” to 741741 for national service
Faculty Staff Assistance Program		304-293-5590	https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/fsap/

Mental Health Program Access ³

Availability of Campus-based Mental Health Clinics, Student Health Services, & Counseling Services

Student Counseling Centers and Employee Assistance Program	Location	Contact	Hours	Website
WVU Morgantown	390 Birch St., 2nd floor, Morgantown, WV 26506	304-293-4431	8:30am – 5:00pm (M-F)	Carruth.wvu.edu
WVU Beckley	505 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801	304-929-1232	8:30am – 4:30pm (M-F)	students.wvutech.edu/health-wellness/counseling
WVU Potomac State	Reynolds Hall 104A, Keyser, WV 26726	304-788-6977	2:00pm – 6:00pm (M-Tues or by appt.)	studentexperience.potomacstatecollege.edu/health-counseling-services/psychological-counseling-services
WVU Faculty Staff Assistance Program	1085 Van Voorhis Rd., Suite 218-220 Morgantown, West Virginia 26506	304-293-5590	8:30 am - 4:30 pm (call for availability outside those hours)	https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/fsap/

Availability of Local Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Services

Community and other Campus Resources		Contact	Hours	Website
WVU Morgantown	WVU Medicine Emergency Department	304-598-4000	24/7	https://wvumedicine.org/ruby-memorial-hospital/services/wvu-specialty-clinics/emergency-medicine/
	Student Health	304-285-7200	9:00am – 7:00pm (M-F)	https://health.wvu.edu/student-health/
	Healthy Minds University	304-598-4214	By appointment	https://rni.wvumedicine.org/hmu/
	Valley Health Care	304-296-1751	9:00am – 4:00pm (M-F) & 27/7 crisis hotline	https://www.valleyhealthcare.org/
WVU Beckley	Raleigh General Hospital	304-256-4100	24/7	https://www.raleighgeneral.com/
	Student Health & Wellness Center	304-929-1241	9:00am – noon (M-Tues-F); 9:00am- noon, 1:00pm – 4:00pm (Wed)	https://students.wvutech.edu/health-wellness/student-health-clinic
WVU Potomac State	PVH RapidCare	304-597-3706	7:00am – 7:00pm (7 days a week)	https://wvumedicine.org/potomac-valley-hospital/scope-of-services/pvh-rapidcare/
	Health Matters Urgent Care	301-729-3278	9:00am – 7:00 pm (M-Sat)	https://hmucare.com/
	Student Health Center	304-788-6913	10:00am – 2:00pm (M-F)	https://studentexperience.potomacstatecollege.edu/health-counseling-services/student-health-center

Students in the Eastern Division and Charleston Division and Bridgeport can utilize local mental health resources and when clinically appropriate, virtual clinical appointments from the counseling center.

IV. Multimedia Application Access ⁴

1. Crisis Hotline Contact Information

   • National Suicide Prevention Hotline dial or text 988
   • Carruth Center Urgent/Crisis Clinic/Afterhours dial 304 294 4431
   • Crisis Text Line text “WVU” to 741741 or “HOME” to 741741
   • Veterans Crisis Line: 988 press 1
   • Trevor Project Hotline (LGBTQ+): 1-866-4UTREVOR (1-866-488-7386)

2. Suicide Warning Signs

   Information related to identifying suicide warning signs and available resources can be found here: https://carruth.wvu.edu/resources/if-you-are-concerned/signs-of-distress.

3. Resources Offered and Free-of-Cost Applications

   Faculty & Staff Toolkit

   The faculty and staff toolkit is a resource available to main campus instructors to utilize with their students. The purpose of the toolkit is to provide quick tips and resources to students. The toolkit includes 15 presentations that include different coping/resiliency skills as well as resources that would assist them during a mental health emergency. The faculty and staff toolkit is available for use at https://carruth.wvu.edu/resources/faculty-and-staff-toolkit.

   Social media platforms

   Platforms, such as Instagram, are utilized to create a “toolbox” of resources that support mental health and wellbeing. The social media content is curated to include coping skills. Information around local and national resources are included and students can regarding emergency resources 24/7.

4. Carruth Center Video Library

   University Relations works collaboratively with the counseling center to create and record videos that support mental health and wellbeing. The videos include skills that aid in de-escalation as well as information about accessing services. The videos can be accessed at https://carruth.wvu.edu/resources/video-library.

V. Student Communication Plans ⁵

Outreach Plans Regarding Educational and Outreach Activities on Suicide Prevention

1. Guidance to WVU Staff

   1. The emergency procedures are sent out to the campus community annually each Fall semester. The emergency procedure provides safety information for on campus issues such as bomb threats; fire; active shooter; missing students; weather/evacuation; hazardous materials; campus notifications; and Clery crimes.

2. Carruth Center

   1. Carruth’s Outreach opportunities related to suicide prevention can be found at: https://carruth.wvu.edu/outreach.

   2. Morgantown Campus students receive a related monthly newsletter which provides information regarding coping skills and resources that could assist them in maintaining their safety during a mental health emergency.

3. Syllabus Statement

   1. Mental health syllabus statements have been created to be included in course syllabi. This Student Government initiative provides suicide prevention information and instructions on how to access mental health services on campus and can be found here: https://tlcommons.wvu.edu/syllabus-policies-and-statements.

4. Additional Programming

   1. Send Silence Packing
   2. WVU Potomac State College National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Programing
   3. On-Campus Provider Programming
   4. Weekly Mental Health Awareness tabling events
   5. WellWVU Events, such as chillZONE and chillFEST.
   6. Emotional Well-Being Badges
   7. Mental Health First Aid/safe/TALK/Mental Health 101
   8. Mental Health related Management Consultants

VI. Post-Intervention Plans ⁶

To develop a strategic plan to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents after the loss of a student to suicide, WVU has developed a student postvention plan, which incorporated best practices outlined by national mental health agencies as well as campus specific recommendations. This plan/protocol is utilized for any known or suspected student death by suicide and is administered by the CARE Team.

VII. Distribution of Depression & Suicide Prevention Resources Available to Students ⁷

During the Fall 2024 semester, the University provided this report as well as an e-mail from T. Anne Hawkins PhD to all students, faculty, and staff at its campuses, which specifically references the mental health and suicide prevention resources available to students.

Available mental health services and other support services highlighted in the distribution include Campus and Community mental health resources, crises hotline contact information, and mental health and suicide prevention resources that are listed above. Other resources that directly support students (and indirectly by supporting faculty/staff) are described below.

The CARE (Collaboration, Assessment, Response, Engagement) Team is a multidisciplinary group that addresses and helps at-risk students obtain the needed supports and assistance to be successful at WVU. Balancing the need for privacy and autonomy of the individual and the needs of community safety, the team provides timely assistance and interventions to best serve the students and WVU community.

SupportingYOU is a multidisciplinary, peer support program that supports healthcare providers' mental and emotional wellness for WVU Health Care providers. This unit focuses on offering designated time for reflection following difficult professional and personal life stressors. The goal is to build community within the hospital and ensure employees can access additional resources such as the Employee Assistance Program and Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.

The WVU Health Science Center Physician Wellness Committee was established in Fall of 2022. This task force aims to reduce provider burnout. As an action-oriented effort, they have made efforts to assess current system strengths/weaknesses and developed teams to address burn-out. The committee has developed and submitted recommendations to leadership. A related taskforce report for 2023 is available.

The Resident Wellness Committee is a multidisciplinary team with representatives from various Graduate Medical Education accredited residency training programs. The mission is to improve residents’ experience in training by identifying logistical and institutional barriers, enhancing the workplace environment and identifying other outlets and programs to assist residents in maintaining and improving their overall mental/physical health.

In regards to student organizations that support student mental health: at this time there are no identified “student run organizations that are for individuals at risk or affected by suicide” however there are many student run organizations that advocate for individuals’ mental health and wellbeing.

• Wellbeing and Mental Health Student Advisory Board
• Morgan’s Message Chapter at WVU
• Active Minds WVU
• The Self Love Club
• Wellness Council
• Clear the Stress

Website Postings ⁸

1. The information required by Jamie’s Law is posted on the following websites:

   1. https://carruth.wvu.edu/
   2. https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/fsap/home/

2. Similarly, free-of-cost prevention materials or programs are also posted on those websites.

IX. Student Identification Cards ⁹

1. Beginning in 2024, each WVU student identification card has the following information printed on it:

   1. The information for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which can be reached by calling or texting 988;
   2. The information for the Crisis Text Line. accessible by texting HOME to 741741.

2. Specifically, the ID cards look like this:

   

X. Conclusion

1. Over the course of the next year, a subcommittee of the University’s CARE Team will continue to further Jamie’s Law at WVU. Specifically, it will continue to collate and document and advocate for suicide prevention resources, and provide more formal, specific guidance to faculty and staff about suicide prevention protocols and training.

Footnotes

• ¹ W. Va. Legislature, H.B. 2535, (last visited August 22, 204), available at: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb2535%20intr.htm&yr=2015&sesstype=RS&i=2535.
• ² W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7(a)(1).
• ³ W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7(a)(2).
• ⁴ W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7(a)(3).
• ⁵ W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7(a)(4).
• ⁶ W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7(a)(5).
• ⁷ W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7(b).
• ⁸ W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7(c).
• ⁹ W. Va. Code § 18B-1B-7(e).