Institutional Compliance Solutions, LLC

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the theme for this day from 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” An important part of changing the narrative is starting the conversation to help raise awareness and reduce stigma. In the Title IX field, this is such an important conversation. As Title IX professionals, we are working in a high-risk area for co-occurring mental health concerns. Many of us are not trained mental health providers, but we may be on the front line of observing and responding to concerns about someone’s overall well-being. This can feel intimidating or “out of our lane.” As a former mental health provider, I want to encourage Title IX professionals with this - You do not have to be a counselor to help someone. You already have the skills you need to make a difference. ALL parties in a Title IX matter are at risk of mental health impact from the behaviors that lead to an investigation to participating in the grievance process itself or even the life experiences that affected the person before they made it to your office. With that in mind, here are some things you can do to be more mental health minded and trauma-informed in your work: (1) See the whole person in front of you. Title IX is the work of compliance, but it is also the work of people. Connect with the person you are speaking with at a level beyond policy and action steps. Ask them how they are doing and specifically ask about their mental health needs. Then listen, really listen, to their response. (2) If there is a mental health need, connect them to support before they leave your office. Working up the courage to go to counseling is hard even and especially when you know you need to. Consider a direct connection instead of a passive referral. Call your counseling office to link them or walk with them to get their first appointment set up. Support is not about checking a compliance box to say you offered it, but it’s about helping the person who needs the support access it. (3) If you hear concerns about someone’s safety in the things they are saying, address it. Do not assume the next person will or leave it for a counselor to do. Ask directly if they are having thoughts of hurting themselves. Leave space for them to say yes or no. Then, refer them to the right resource immediately. Get to know your protocol for mental health emergencies at your school by talking with your counseling staff about this! This will increase your confidence in your next steps! YOU’VE GOT THIS! And remember, your mental health is also impacted by this work and all the other things simultaneously going on in life. Be in tune with your own mental wellness and take steps daily to care for yourself. Your mental health is important too! And, in case it’s you who needs to hear this today, you are seen and your life matters… Institutional Compliance Solutions, LLC #titleix #ICS #suicideprevention

💡 Seeking YOUR input! In our attempts to best serve our community, we want to know your thoughts on the best time of year for training! Please let us know when you most prefer to knock out your IN PERSON professional development and certifications! 🙌 Institutional Compliance Solutions, LLC

I am currently reading David Yeager’s 10 to 25 - The Science of Motivating Young People. I chose this book because, as a Title IX professional, these are my people, our people, right? Or at least the majority of them anyway. Whether we are working with K-12 kiddos or higher education young adults, this is our range 10 to 25. 📖 The book is eye opening and insightful as a whole (at least so far), but I am currently ruminating on this quote: “We don’t have to choose standards or support; both can work together.” I think about the concept of support often… If you know me at all, you know that I talk about support in nearly every conversation. An upcoming “Living TItle IX” will focus on Support Support Support and more Support But the combination of standards AND support really struck a chord. It’s the whole shebang. It’s as David Yeager says, the “Mentor Mindset.” ❗️Standards are important. Rules are important. Expectations are important. They are necessary. ❗️Support is important. Kindness is important. Understanding is important. Empathy is important. Necessary. ‼️Standards and support are a one two punch. A both/and. One without the other is good but not great. It’s the combination that makes us successful in our communication with the 10 to 25s. A Mentor Mindset (Standards + Support) is invaluable in Title IX work. ⁉️Would love to hear (and highlight) how you are combining standards and support in your day to day work!⁉️ #titleix #mentormindset #onetwopunch #education #standards #support Institutional Compliance Solutions, LLC