Mental Health Act (MHA)

Pursuant to Illinois’ Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information Act, a student has the right to authorize the College, in writing, to disclose his or her private mental health information to a person of the student’s choosing. For additional information, please contact the Records and Registration Office on the second floor of the Student Center. Please be advised that, consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and its regulations at 34 CFR § 99.36, the College may disclose a student’s private information to persons who need to know that information in the event of or to avert a health or safety emergency, even if those persons have not been designated by the student on his or her Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Information Act.

In conjunction with FERPA and RVC policy, students will have the written opportunity to authorize the disclosure of certain private mental health information to a designated person of their choosing by completing and filing a FERPA Form which includes the Mental Health Act Disclosure. This policy allows you to designate a person(s) to whom RVC may disclose certain private mental health information.

RVC will contact the person(s) of choice if RVC’s Personal Counseling Services determines that you pose a clear danger to yourself or to others and/or protection is needed for you or another person from a clear, imminent risk of serious mental or physical injury, disease or death.