Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information

Administrative Procedure 4.603

Elgin Community College (ECC) complies with the Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Act, 110 ILCS 74/1 et seq., which requires institutions of higher learning provide all students the opportunity to authorize in writing the disclosure of certain private mental health information to a designated person. A designated person is defined by this Act as a parent, guardian, or other person over the age of 18 designated by a student to receive disclosure of certain private mental health information.

If a physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner who is employed by the college determines that a student poses a clear danger to self or others, ECC will disclose the student’s mental health information to the student’s designated person. This process exists to protect the reported student and other persons against a clear, imminent risk of serious physical or mental injury, disease or death. The mental health determination will be disclosed to the student’s designated person as soon as practical, but in no more than 24 hours after making the mental health determination.

A qualified examiner is defined by Section 1-122 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code Act as a clinical social worker, a registered psychiatric nurse, a licensed clinical professional counselor, or a licensed marriage and family therapist.

All students will be provided the opportunity to complete and submit a Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information Form, if they so desire. Wellness Services will make the form available at New Student Orientation and through quarterly email blasts to all students. Students can also access the Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information Form on the Wellness Services’ web site.

Students who elect to complete the authorization form are required to print the form and place it in a sealed envelope addressed to Wellness Services at ECC. The sealed envelope should be submitted to the Student Success Center, room B120. These forms will be stored confidentially and securely for the length of time noted in the State’s retention records policy. Only the Wellness Professionals and the Dean of Students will have access to these confidential forms.