3 Policies and Protocols

This category includes actions that IU should implement to improve mental health on campus requiring sustainable efforts supported by policies, funding, and procedures. Specific examples of policy changes include adjusting restrictive registration and academic deadlines, improving work-life balance, and creating or improving mental health medical leave policies. Recommendations include:

• Create or improve policies to accommodate mental health leaves and how students will continue to be supported in all ways, including academically, when such leaves are necessary. Task force will create or improve such policies.
• Recommend additional training for police and other emergency responders in dealing with mental health issues, or on how to refer them to triage. Task force will recommend the format and timing of this training.
  
• Create or improve solutions to help students address the financial barriers to getting help. Task force will make recommendations as to how to increase access for all students, insured and uninsured.
• Create or improve plans for mental health support after local, national, or international tragedies that may affect our students. Task force will create or improve plans for university-wide action when it is needed.
• Review policies for financial aid, tuition, and other funding-related areas, as these are sources of distress for many students, especially graduate students. Task force will review policies and recommend changes as necessary.
• Review other policies that touch on mental health, such as financial aid, food security, housing security, and more, and update them as necessary. Task force will review policies and recommend changes as necessary.