Mental Health Procedures
If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis on campus, they should contact Public Safety at 717-560-8214. If a student does not feel safe and is an immediate threat to themselves or someone else, 911 should be called. A student can also call 988 at any time to be connected to a crisis line for assessment and further care.
The Counseling and Care Center (C3) does not operate as a crisis counseling center. A student may stop by C3 to see if someone is available for a walk-in, but it is not guaranteed that a counselor will be available.
A student may also visit the Lancaster General Health Walk-In Center that is connected with Lancaster General Hospital for the following services:
- Rapid assessments
- Brief counseling and care management
- Peer support and connection to community-based services/resources
- Psychiatric oversight of care
More information on the Walk-In Center Can be found here.
Mental Health Hospitalization
When it is determined that a student needs to be evaluated further via ER or hospital, the student will be transferred to the appropriate setting. A parent or guardian will be notified by a school official to inform them of the situation. The student will be responsible for providing transportation back to campus once evaluated and released.
The Office of Accessibility Services will reach out to the student professors to let them know that they are currently hospitalized and will be unable to participate in class for a period.
If a student is hospitalized for an extended period, they will be asked to notify the hospital of LBC employees to be utilized for a release of information (ROI). These individuals include the Campus Nurse, the Director of C3, and the Assistant Dean of Student Care. The student may choose whichever individual(s) they would like to receive information and communicate with the hospital on behalf of the student. Once released, the student will need to have a re-entry meeting for follow-up care.
Re-entry Meeting
When a student is released from the hospital or returns to campus after being evaluated by their PCP or a specialist, they will be asked to meet with the Assistant Dean of Student Care to have a re-entry meeting. This meeting will discuss the student’s return to campus life and help connect the student to appropriate resources (counseling, nurse, academic support/accommodations, etc.) for continued success. The student will be asked to complete their Medical Re-Entry Form prior to the meeting. The Assistant Dean of Student Care will follow up with the student to check in on their return to campus life.
On-going mental health concerns
A student may have an on-going mental health concern situation that causes them to have multiple episodes throughout a period (week, month, semester). When a student experiences on-going mental health concerns, the student will be advised to connect with the C3 to continue to provide services to the student.
Mental Health Re-Entry Form
When a student’s mental health situation(s) are beyond the scope of what LBC can feasibly support (frequency, intensity, severity, length of episodes, etc.), LBC may ask the student to be evaluated by their home primary care physician or specialist for their health and safety. The student will be asked to leave campus until they are cleared to come back to campus through the Mental Health Re-Entry formed filled out by their primary care physician (PCP) or their specialist. A member of the Student Care Team will share the form with the student.
Withdrawal/Planned Return due to Mental Health Situation(s)
In cases where a student’s mental health is hindering their ability to successfully complete the semester, the student may be asked to consider withdrawal from the college. The student will be informed of the tuition/room& board refund policy options in consideration of a potential withdrawal. The student will have options for either withdrawal from the college or a Planned Return.
If a student decides to take off one semester, but intends to return during the following term, the student will not need to reapply for Admission but will have advanced standing for registration, communication, and a return to active status. In addition, the student’s LBC email and student account will remain open and active.