Today, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) jointly issued guidance to support students with mental health disabilities and their schools in the era of COVID-19. The guidance, issued in conjunction with the Departments’ recognition of World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2021, underscores the importance of supporting students with mental health disabilities who may be at risk of self-harm. The guidance provides information about Federal civil rights laws that protect students with mental health disabilities, and includes scenarios that illustrate when either Department might investigate whether a violation of those laws has occurred. It also gives schools and postsecondary institutions a list of action steps to create a school environment that is responsive to students with mental health disabilities, and provides educational and crisis resources for students, families, and educators. To find out more about the guidance or the ADA, visit ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 1-800-514-0301 or 1-800-514-0383 (TDD).
