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Rock Valley College > Admission > Registration > Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Act (MHA)

Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Act (MHA)

Rock Valley College is required to provide the Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information to all newly-enrolled students.

In accordance with the Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Act, an institution of higher learning may disclose mental health information if a physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner makes a determination that the student poses a clear danger to himself, herself, or others.

What Information Will Be Disclosed
 

Rock Valley College (RVC) is providing students the written opportunity to authorize the disclosure of certain private mental health information to a designated person of their choosing by completing and filing a FERPA Authorization Form which includes the Mental Health Act Disclosure. This policy allows students to designate a person(s) to whom RVC may disclose certain private mental health information. RVC will contact the person(s) of choice if RVC’s Personal Counseling Services determines that:

  • The disclosed student poses a clear danger to oneself or to others.
     
  • Protection is needed for the disclosed student or another person from a clear, imminent risk of serious mental or physical injury, disease or death.
     
  • If the physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner has made a determination that a student poses a clear, imminent danger to himself, herself, or others, the designated person will be contacted and notified as soon as possible but no more than 24 hours after making the determination.

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Student Authorization
 

Students are not required to designate a person. Should a student choose to designate a contact person, it can be anyone over the age of 18 (e.g., parent, sibling, friend, etc.).

Students may change their designation at any time.

Please note that RVC reserves the right to contact the student’s designated emergency contact as required or permitted by law. 

Procedures
 

In accordance with Rock Valley College (RVC) policy, mental health information is considered private in nature and will not be released without prior approval from the student. This policy is located in the RVC Student Handbook and College Catalog.

  • Students who request to authorize the disclosure of certain private mental health information to a designated person must complete a FERPA Authorization Form (also available in the Records and Registration office located on the second floor of the Student Center on the main campus). Upon receipt, the form will be scanned and kept confidential.
     
  • RVC students shall be given the option to rescind their authorization at any time and may also change their designated person at any time by updating the FERPA Authorization Form in the Records and Registration office.
     
  • In the event that a physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner (RVC Personal Counselor) employed by RVC makes a determination that a student poses a clear danger to himself, herself, or others, they will access the student file at the Records and Registration office to determine if the student has authorized the disclosure of certain private mental health information to a designated person by the completion and filing of a FERPA Authorization Form.
     
  • If the student has filed a FERPA Authorization Form and the physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner employed by RVC has deemed that the student poses a clear danger to himself, herself, or others, the designated person(s) will be contacted within 24 hours.
     
  • Starting January 1, 2016, all RVC students will be notified no later than February 15, 2016, by email to their RVC student email account of the opportunity to authorize a disclosure.