With suicide being the second-leading cause of death among college-age adults in the U.S., The New York Times reports on the difficult balance between protecting students’ privacy and informing family members of at-risk students. While the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act views students as adults, there are exceptions that allow colleges and universities to use their discretion. Student information can be shared if a student signs a consent, if the student is claimed as a dependent on tax forms, or if the student is in a health or safety emergency. Victor Schwartz, the chief medical officer at the Jed Foundation, said, “There’s a concern that if the school has too low a threshold for contacting family or suggesting a student take a leave of absence, it will actually discourage kids from coming forward for help,” adding, “So you’re basically walking a tightrope.” (Registration may be required to access this story.)
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