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With an Event Application revealing concerns regarding suicidal thoughts, ideations or past attempts, Reliant may require (depending on the individual situation) as an additional condition - a counselor/therapist recommendation assessment before final acceptance. This may be required, even if the event director and Reliant are still in favor of moving forward toward acceptance.
As a potential condition for acceptance, Reliant would ask the applicant to sign a release waiver with their counselor/therapist. This waiver would then allow the program director (or both program director and local pastor) to be able to contact the counselor/therapist and get their thoughts and current assessment on their emotional stability (we cannot ask for their recommendation as that would be too much liability fro them) on the applicant attending the program (or not). Reliant wants the program director to be on the waiver because we want to have the ability to contact the counselor/therapist to keep the lines of communication open over the entire course of the event, if a follow up conversation ever becomes necessary. However, Reliant would be open to allowing a local pastor to be that person listed on the waiver, if the local pastor is also attending the program with the applicant and will continue following up with them.
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If the counselor/therapist does recommend current assessment does not show emotional stability for the applicant for attending the program, but program director is still not convinced that the applicant should be accepted (even after talking to the counselor/therapist), then Reliant reserves the right to not accept the applicant.
In most cases, the applicant is already seeing a counselor. This is standard procedure for the counselor to talk to someone (we recommend the program director or if need be the local pastor) about their client. Once the participant signs the release the counselor is able to communicate with that person as to whether or not they recommend person to discuss current assessment with their client to attend the program over the summer.
If the participant is not seeing a counselor/therapist, then Reliant may ask that they go see a licensed counselor in order to move forward with our conditions for acceptance. But, we also understand that a counselor/therapist may not want to make a recommendation an assessment after just one or two therapy sessions and Reliant will need to take that into consideration on how to move forward from there.
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- Share with the applicant that we are excited for him/her to have this opportunity.
- Discuss that we want to make the program a success for them.
- Explain that there are some condition(s) that he/she needs to meet in order to be accepted.
- Explain to him/her the needed recommendation from his/her counselor/therapist and how to obtain that (see instructions below).
- Explain that we will need to wait for the program director to review the counselor's recommendation before we move forward.
- Explain to them that if he/she is conditionally accepted, one of the conditions is generally to meet with a staff member for # of weekly meetings for check-in, accountability, and to care for him/her.
- After the meeting, respond back to the program director with how the meeting went, and if he/she agrees to those condition(s).
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Reliant needs a recommendation current assessment and safety plan by the counselor/therapist stating whether or not they recommend that their client (the applicant) attend (or is able to attend) our program. (Then, write a quick explanation of the program they will be attending. For example: Leadership Training (LT) is an 11-week program that focuses on building godly habits, take steps of openly sharing life in community through 11 experiential project days focused on equipping and character growth, work 40 hours/week at the YMCA and where participants learn to be active in sharing their faith)is currently emotionally stable. We would also like for the counselor and application to create a safety plan that can be shared with Reliant and the program. The applicant, as the client, would need to sign a release waiver with their counselor for the program director to be able to interact with the counselor. Once the he/she signs the release waiver, the counselor is able to communicate with the program director (via email or mail) with their recommendationassessment. Email or a letter, would be best in order for the director to have the recommendation assessment in writing. If we can get this ASAP, that would be great! We do not need to know any private personal information about what he/she is discussing in counseling. Just whether or not the counselor would recommend the client for attending the programfeels they are currently emotionally stable. Let them know that they can also contact the program director with questions. Program Director Email: In addition: if he/she is conditionally accepted, he/she needs to agree to meet with a staff member. For example: for (5) weekly, 1/2 hour - 45 minutes meetings, so that we can offer any help or guidance for the participant while he/she is attending the program. The motivation is to care for the participant and establish someone who he/she might be able to go to whenever he/ she feels it’s necessary. This person will also report to program director about how the meetings have gone. |
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If the counselor does not specifically state that the written recommendation assement to the program director may not be forwarded or shared, then Reliant would like to have a copy of the recommendation assessment to keep for their records. Thus, if the counselor notes that this may only be shared with the program director, then Reliant will put the decision in the program director's hands to make the decision as to whether or not they recommend acceptance of the applicant based on the counselor's recommendation assessment (as not to break the confidentiality agreement). If the program director sees any reason based on the counselor's recommendationassessment, not to accept the applicant, then the program director would need to make the decision to not accept the participant.
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This is a sample letter of support from a counselor. It was written and discussed together with the program participant needing a counselor's recommendation assessment to show that the participant also agrees with the content within the letter. |
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Dear [Name of Summer Program Director], [Participant Name] has participated in [#] of mental health therapy sessions with me since [start date]. [Participant Name] attends weekly therapy to address managing [list of concerns: anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, etc.] During [Participant Name] time in therapy he/she has worked on developing healthy coping skills such as, journaling, positive imagery, challenging irrational thought patterns, setting boundaries, assertive communication, mindfulness calming/relaxation techniques, and healthy emotional awareness and expression. [Participant Name] plans to attend weekly therapy for the remainder of the spring semester [year] with [Name of Counselor and Counseling Group]. At this time, [Participant Name] denies active suicidal ideations and denies active thoughts to self-harm. He/she agrees to seek help and communicate with support systems if thoughts of suicide or self-harm arise. The following is a list of support people to contact: [Name of friend] [Name of family member] [Participant Name] agrees to practice daily self-care for him/her mental health by engaging in the following activities: journaling, prayer, listening to music, being around friends, be outdoors-taking walks. [Participant Name] also plans to meet with program staff during the summer program to check-in. [Participant Name] was provided with crisis contact information: 1-800-273-TALK (the national suicide prevention lifeline), where she/he can access local crisis counselors. [Participant Name] agrees to contact crisis counselors and/or go to the nearest emergency room if needed during the summer program if she/he presents with a mental health crisis. Sincerely, [Name of Counselor and Participant Name] Download sample letter here to send to counselor/participant needing counselor's recommendation.
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Counseling during the program
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Here is the link for Colorado: https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/browse-by-state/colorado Here is the link for New York State: https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/browse-by-state/new-york National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK to access local crisis counselors. | |
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All participants with suicidal concerns that are accepted into the program are required to fill out this safety plan. A copy of this plan will be given to the participant, the event directors, the program leader assigned to meet with the participant (if different than a program director) and Reliant. | |
| name | Patient Safety PlanTemplate.pdf | height | 250
