I realize I lucked out with my parents in terms of emotional support and the like, but I think it's a good idea for college students to be treated as though their parents are a meaningful part of their lives. Parents should be alerted when their kids are in crisis or in danger. College students--no matter how empowered they feel their first year away from home, drunk on cheap wine and Take Back the Night marches--are still kids. And they still need care and counsel--yes, from their parents. We can't rely on schools to take the place of family. It's not fair to the kids, and it's not fair to the institutions.

From emaxhealth.com:

The Mental Health Cooperation Act for Families and Schools will allow schools and universities to share a student’s mental health information with their parents or guardians if the student is found to be at risk of suicide, or of committing homicide or physical assault.

"Far too often schools are too worried about litigation rather than the overall well-being of the students on campus," said Congressman Murphy, the only child psychologist in Congress and Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus. "The Mental Health Cooperation Act for Families and Schools will remove this fear and allow schools to communicate with parents on the best needs of their child. Parents may be in the best position to help a student suffering from significant mental illness by providing emotional support, medical history, coordinating care with various mental health and medical professionals, and long-term follow-up. They will be there for the child long after the school is gone."

Changes Urged for Student Privacy Law

[Photo: I'm too busy to put one in!]