Citation

Cacialli DO. Int. J. Law Psychiatry 2019; 62: 32-44.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijlp.2018.10.005

PMID

30616852

Abstract

Threat assessment has been used in educational settings to assess and manage the risk of targeted violence for nearly two decades, and mental health professionals commonly serve on threat assessment teams. Despite how prevalent threat assessment has become, the extant literature on the psychological factors relevant to the assessment of targeted violence has infrequently distinguished between the types of institutions in which this form of intervention is employed. Furthermore, the unique considerations for mental health professionals on threat assessment teams have received limited attention. The purpose of this manuscript is the following: (a) to review existing research and knowledge regarding mental health and developmental issues prudent for consideration at institutions of higher education and explore the relevance of these findings to the practice of threat assessment, (b) to review professional practice issues commonly encountered by threat assessment professionals at institutions of higher education and establish best practice guidelines, and (c) to define the proper role of mental health professionals who serve on threat assessment teams at institutions of higher education.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Universities; Students; Adolescent; Violence; Risk Assessment; Young Adult; Mental Health; Mental health; Suicide Prevention; Professional Role; Mental Disorders; Faculty; Higher education; Threat assessment