Assisting Students in Distress See Something. Say Something. Do Something.

See Something

Some mes students cannot, or will not, turn to family or friends. DO SOMETHING! Your expression of concern may be a cri cal factor in saving a student’s academic career or even his/her life.

The purpose of this folder will help you recognize symptoms of student distress and iden fy appropriate local referrals.

Do Something Privacy Laws and Confidentiality

Students exhibi ng troubling behaviors may be having difficul es in other se ngs including the classroom, with roommates, with family, other program par cipants, and in social se ngs. Trust your ins ncts and SAY SOMETHING if a student leaves you feeling worried, alarmed, or threatened!

Do Something.

Be Proacve: Engage students early, pay aenon to signs of distress, and set limits on disrupve behavior.

Listen Sensively & Carefully: Use a non-confrontaonal approach, and calm voice. Avoid threatening, humiliang, and inmidang responses.

Safety First: Your welfare and the welfare of UCEAP parcipants, is the top priority when responding to violent behaviors. Follow local UCEAP protocols and call for help.

Follow Through: Walk the student to counseling, if necessary, or make arrangements with UCEAP Systemwide to transport the student to a local resource.

Consultaon & Documentaon: Always document your interacons with distressed students and consult with UCEAP Systemwide during and aer any incident.

Say Something

Use the tips below to help you refer the student to one of the resources listed on the right. Your Resources Resources & Tips: Your Resources

24 Hour Emergency Contact 1.805.893.4762

University of California 24/7 Assistance

Your UCEAP 24/7 Regional Director1.805.893.4762

United Healthcare Global Response Center (international collect) Email: assistance@uhcglobal.com

1.410.453.6330

The U.S. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits communication about a student of concern in connection with a health and safety emergency with appropriate UCEAP Systemwide officials. The definitions of privacy and what is sensitive personal information vary among countries. In some countries this means that a UCEAP partner university cannot share information about UCEAP students unless it is permitted to do so under local laws (these are usually life or death situations). In other countries, the right to privacy is non-existent.

UCEAP faculty/staff and partner institution staff are in a unique position to show compassion for UC students in distress. Students may feel alone, isolated, and even hopeless when faced with academic and life challenges. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance and may lead to dysfunctional coping and other serious consequences.

You may be the first person to SEE SOMETHING distressing in students.

The University of California, in collaboration with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), requests that you act with compassion when helping students in distress.

Be Direct: Don’t hesitate to ask students directly if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, feeling confused, or having thoughts of harming themselves or others. If you need guidance, call the emergency contact at UCEAP Systemwide.

Follow emergency and

Call ambulance and/or police Call your UCEAP 24/7

emergency contact Call 24/7 assistance provider

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Meet with student; express concern; offer support; assure

confidentiality Refer student;

Contact UCEAP Systemwide Follow up

See Something.

Say Something.

Indicators of DistressBe aware of the following indicators of distress. Look for groupings, frequencies, duration and severity - not just isolated symptoms.

Response Protocol:

Sudden decline in quality of work and grades

Repeated absences

Disorganized performance

Mul ple requests for extensions

Overly demanding of faculty and staff me and a en on

Bizarre content in wri ngs or presenta ons

Student dependent on personal, rather than academic counseling, during your office hours

Marked changes in physical appearance including deteriora on in grooming, hygiene, or weight loss / gain

Excessive fa gue / sleep disturbance

Intoxica on, hangovers, or smelling of alcohol

Disoriented or “out of it”

Garbled, tangen al, disconnected, or slurred speech

Behavior is out of context or bizarre

Delusions and paranoia

Unusual / dispropor onal emo onal response to events

Excessive tearfulness, panic reac ons

Irritability or unusual apathy

Verbal abuse (e.g., taun ng, badgering, in mida on)

Expressions of concern about the student by his / her peers

Unprovoked anger or hos lity

Physical violence (shoving, grabbling, assault, use of weapon)

Implying or making a direct threat to harm self or others

Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, rage, worthlessness, isola on, despair, ac ng out, suicidal idea ons / violent behaviors – a “cry for help”

Stalking or harassing

Communica ng threats via email, correspondence, tex ng, or phone calls

Are you concerned that the student may hurt him or herself or others? Or is the student in need of immediate assistance (e.g., imminently

reckless, dangerous, threatening, etc.)?

Yes

Follow UCEAP emergency and distressed student protocols

AndCall ambulance and/or police

Not SureBut I am concerned

NoBut student is having academic

and/or personal difficul es

Call your UCEAP 24/7response contact

And Call the 24/7 assistance provider

Contact UCEAP Systemwide

Follow up with student

Contact UCEAP Systemwide

Follow up with student

Support for UCEAP faculty and staff after responding to student incident: Your UCEAP Regional Director

Follow UCEAP distressed student protocols Talk to student Refer to counseling Discuss confidentiality

Meet with student to express concern Offer support Discuss condenality Refer student to local resources

Self-disclosure of personal distress such as family problems, financial difficulties, contemplating suicide, grief

Consider these guidelines to help determine who to contact when faced with a distressed student. Because every situation is different, use your discretion to adjust the order of steps as appropriate.

Physical Indicators Psychological Indicators Safety Risk IndicatorsAcademic Indicators