NCC is a PA CARES Institution  

Northampton Community College (NCC) received the PA CARES designation for 2025-26 for a commitment to preventing suicide and promoting mental health resources to students, faculty, and staff. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recognizes institutions of higher education for their work to ensure students have access to support and resources to stay safe, healthy, and well. 

"Suicide is the second leading cause of death on America's college campuses, a statistic that is sobering, tragic, and preventable," said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe.  

PA CARES, which stands for "Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage, Support," recognizes postsecondary institutions that have implemented Act 110 mental health and suicide prevention plans, enabling school staff to engage with the campus community and empowering students to seek help when they need it. This initiative furthers the efforts made by the Shapiro Administration to promote mental health in Pennsylvania's school communities. 

“We strive to help our students succeed in all aspects of their lives, including their mental health and well-being. To do that, it's important to support our students with compassion and the proper resources during their times of need,” says NCC President, David A. Ruth, Ph.D. 

To become a PA CARES campus, postsecondary institutions must provide contact information for crisis intervention services; mental health services and access; health promotion and wellness; student health and counseling; student communication plans that consist of outreach plans regarding mental health services and suicide prevention; and post-intervention plans, including a process to create a strategic plan to communicate effectively with students, staff and parents after the loss of a student to suicide; and more. 

NCC’s suicide prevention plan is online at northampton.edu/counseling. Learn more about PA CARES here.