Issues of Confidentiality and Potential Disability Discrimination in Behavior Intervention Team Responses to College Student Suicidality

Abstract

In response to concerns about liability and safety, many colleges and universities have instituted Behavior Intervention Teams (BITs) to help assess and intervene with students who may pose a risk of harm to self or others. Students, lawyers, and advocates have raised concerns about some aspects of the implementation of BITs and related institutional policies, particularly with regard to students who are suicidal and those who engage in self-injurious behavior. Specifically, BITs are on complicated legal ground regarding confidentiality, disability civil rights law, and potential discriminatory or disparate treatment of students with psychiatric disabilities. In addition to reviewing the nature and background of BITs, this article reviews the professional, ethical, and legal issues surrounding confidentiality in the context of university intervention with students who are at risk for harm to self and the potentially applicable of disability civil rights law to BIT intervention with students who are suicidal. Suggestions for alternative and supplemental interventions, especially widespread use of suicide gatekeeping, are provided. Finally, the need for advocates who are knowledgeable in disability civil rights law is highlighted.