MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY DISCLOSURE AND PARTICIPATION POLICY
1. Purpose
WCSS is committed to safe firearm participation and to supporting participants. This policy is based on behavior and individualized safety concerns, not merely on a diagnosis, disability, treatment history, or a request for accommodation.
2. Scope and Effective Period
This policy applies to safety-related incidents during the six months before registration and throughout participation with WCSS.
3. Required Disclosure
A participant or parent/legal guardian must promptly disclose suicide threats or ideation involving a credible safety concern, self-harm or attempted self-harm, credible threats or acts of harm toward others, or hospitalization or mental-health watch specifically connected to a risk of harm to self or others. This policy does not require disclosure of unrelated diagnoses, counseling, medication, or private treatment details.
4. Good-Faith Reports
A coach, peer, school official, healthcare professional, or other person may report a specific safety concern. A third-party report is treated as a concern to evaluate, not as proof of misconduct or automatic proof that the allegation is true.
5. Immediate Response
When WCSS reasonably believes there may be a current firearm-safety risk, it may impose a temporary safety suspension from practices, competitions, meetings involving firearms, and access to team firearms or ammunition while the board conducts a prompt individualized review. In an apparent emergency, WCSS may contact emergency services, law enforcement, or the participant’s parent/legal guardian.
6. Individualized Board Review
Designated board members will review the nature, recency, credibility, severity, and relationship of the concern to safe firearm participation. The participant and parent/legal guardian may provide relevant information. A diagnosis alone is not grounds for suspension. WCSS may consider reasonable safety accommodations where appropriate.
7. Reinstatement After a Substantiated Safety Concern
If a safety concern is substantiated, reinstatement may require evaluation and treatment by a licensed mental-health professional, at least eight consecutive weeks of therapy or treatment, and a signed clearance letter confirming that the professional has evaluated the participant, believes the participant can safely participate in shooting sports, and confirms compliance with the recommended treatment plan. The provider—not WCSS—determines the clinically appropriate treatment. WCSS will not request therapy notes, diagnoses, medication lists, or unrelated medical records.
8. Submission
Clearance documentation may be sent by certified mail or directly from the provider’s professional email domain. Documentation from unlicensed providers, life coaches, or persons lacking appropriate mental-health credentials is not accepted. For a minor, the parent/legal guardian must also provide written confirmation of compliance and consent to return.
9. Ongoing Safety
Reinstatement may include reasonable, written safety conditions and may be reconsidered if new safety concerns arise. Failure to disclose a required incident, refusal to comply with a temporary safety restriction, falsification, or failure to provide required clearance may result in continued or indefinite suspension until the safety requirements are satisfied.
10. Confidentiality
WCSS will collect only information reasonably necessary for safety review, restrict access to designated board members with a need to know, and store information securely. Information will not be disclosed except with written authorization or as reasonably necessary to address an imminent safety threat, comply with law, respond to legal process, or protect the participant or others. This policy does not promise absolute confidentiality.
11. Non-Retaliation and Non-Discrimination
Good-faith reports will not be used as a basis for retaliation. Knowingly false or malicious reports may result in discipline. Decisions under this policy are not based solely on disability, diagnosis, treatment, or medication and will be individualized.
12. Appeal
A participant or parent/legal guardian may submit a written appeal to the WCSS Board. When reasonably practicable, the appeal will be reviewed by board members not directly involved in the original decision. Supporting information may be submitted. A written response will be provided within a reasonable timeframe. Temporary safety restrictions remain in place during appeal unless the board determines otherwise.
13. Authorities
WCSS may contact appropriate authorities or make reports when it reasonably believes there is an imminent risk, when required by law, or when necessary to protect a participant or others.
14. Acknowledgment
By signing below, the participant and parent/legal guardian confirm that they have read and understood this policy, answered honestly, agree to comply, and understand that this is a safety policy rather than medical advice or a guarantee of safety.