Notifying Parents Following a College Student Suicide Attempt: A Review of Case Law and FERPA, and Recommendations for Practice*

Abstract

Decisions by university officials not to notify a student’s parents following a suicide attempt on campus have been severely criticized by some observers. Although courts have not imposed a parental notice requirement, the practice is advantageous to students in many situations. The author recommends a system of notification that relies primarily upon nonmedical student affairs officers to collect reports and communicate with parents following a campus suicide attempt. In determining what information to communicate to parents, student affairs officers are advised to keep in mind the legal implications of the disclosure, including the possibility of a subsequent episode of selfdestructive behavior.