Faculty and Staff Assisting Students in Distress

• Put information about the Counseling Center in your syllabi
• Know offerings that the Counseling Center has to offer.  Our events calendar and services offered sections on our website are great places to review with students
• Engage in self-care practices in your classroom e.g. a "meditation moment" or "belly breathing" before beginning your class
• Make thoughtful deadlines.  Students are pulled in multiple directions.  Giving them several assignments due at the end of the week, in addition to their other classes may cause undo stress
• Consider allowing excused absences for mental and physical health reasons and then direct them to Accessibility Services for potential accommodations and Counseling Center services for mental health support
• Submit an outreach request for the Counseling Center to discuss mental health and resources available to students 

Please note that we don't want to pathologize students for having typical reactions to life events.  We recognize students having varying circumstances as to why they may be missing assignments, not present for class, and/or excessive fatigue.  Our ask is that you have a conversation with your student and encourage them/help them identify any of the Counseling Center services we offer. 

• Missed assignments
• Repeated absences
• Decline in academic performance
• Reduced participation in class
• Excessive fatigue
• Poor personal hygiene
• Inappropriate or exaggerated behavior
• Alarming or worrisome content in their assignments

Do

• Do find a way to speak with them privately whether that is after class when other students aren't there or in your office
• Stick to the facts and tell them what you are observing that makes you concerned
• Ask open-ended questions about how they are doing e.g.  How is your mental health?
• Let them know you are here to listen and connect them to support if they need it
• Share campus resources and ask they if they need support or help accessing them
• Report any concern that a student is at immediate risk (see below) to the Counseling Center, UPD, and any additional campus authorities

Don't

• Minimize the student's struggle(s).  It's better to check in unnecessarily than to dismiss a potentially harmful situation
• Do not promise confidentiality-BGSU requires you to report a student who is at risk of harming themselves
• Do not leave the student alone if you feel they are at immediate risk

• Expressions of suicidal thoughts and intent
• Expressions of violence towards others
• Severe loss of emotional control, bizarre behavior, or gross impairment in thinking ability
• Express despair
• Express hopelessness
• Discuss leaving their family or friends
• Mention self-harm e.g. cutting
• Show signs that they have been self-harming e.g. wearing hoodies in the summer to hide injuries

• "I've noticed you've seemed a little down lately, so I wanted to check in with you.  What's been going on?"
• "I noticed you missed class a few times.  What's going on for you?  How can I support you?"
• "You seem really tired in class lately.  How are you doing?"

• "Thank you for telling me what's going on.  Let's brainstorm some solutions on how we can get you some support."
• "Thank you for sharing this with me.  There's good support on campus-I'll help connect you to it."
• "Wow, that sounds like there is alot you are managing.  It makes sense you are struggling.  Let's figure out what on-campus supports can help you right now."

• "I understand that you are hurting right now.  I am here to help you and connect you to a good support on campus."
• "I hear that you feel hopeless right now.  I've worked with the Counseling Center, and I think they could help.  Let's call them together/go over there together."
• "I can tell that you're very upset, and I'm concerned about you.  I'm going to connect you with someone who can help you stay safe."

If a student declines support, call UPD or 911.