What sort of concerns are appropriate for me to refer?
Students in distress can present in a variety of ways. Some examples of students who might benefit from a Care Team intervention are students who are experiencing pain, anxiety, sorrow, or struggling with sadness, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, thoughts of harming others, repeated classroom disruption, and those exhibiting signs of an eating disorder or threatening behavior. Again, distress can look different for every individual, so it’s best to reach out if you sense something.
Call Western’s Counseling and Case Management Services Department at 608-785-9899 (leave message) if you believe a student is in distress and needs assistance and complete the Care Team referral. For emergency or urgent situations involving immediate risk or threat to safety, security, or health, please call 911 and then contact Campus Security at 608-785-9191.
Examples of a student in distress include but are not limited to:
- Talk of suicide, either directly or indirectly, such as, “I won’t be around to take that exam anyway,” or “I’m not worried about getting a job; I won’t need one.”
- Marked decline in quality of course work, class participation, quality of papers or test results; increased absence from class, or failure to turn in work
- Prolonged depression suggested by a sad demeanor, apathy, weight loss, (appearance of lack of sleep) tearfulness
- Marked changes in personal hygiene
- Uncharacteristic comments in a student’s paper that arouse concern
- Signs of excessive alcohol or drug use
- Binging or purging of food
- Withdrawal from friends or social isolation
- Physical or sexual assault
- Nervousness, agitation, excessive worry; irritability, aggressiveness, non-stop talking
- Bizarre, strange behavior or speech
- Violent outbursts
- Extreme dependency on faculty or staff, including spending much of his or her time visiting during office hours or other times
Is the information I share confidential?
Members of the Western Care Team can never promise confidentiality when life safety is an issue - however, the Care Team will treat information with utmost discretion and respect for the student’s privacy. With the exception of representatives from Counseling and Case Management Services, members of the Care Team are obligatory reporters for potential Title IX violations and mandatory reporters for child abuse.
What happens after I make a referral?
After a Care Team referral is submitted via the online referral system, you will receive an auto-generated email confirmation from the Care Team. You may be contacted for additional information related to the referral. Information will be gathered to assess the most appropriate department or individual to make contact with the student, which will occur as soon as possible.
Additionally, the director of counseling and case management services and dean of students will review the referral to determine the next steps, typically within 4 hours. They will connect with you to gather additional information and brainstorm the best way to proceed with the student, given the information provided.
If a formal Care Team review is needed, the director of counseling and case management services and dean of students will assess the level of urgency, based on the NaBITA Risk Assessment rubric, and schedule a Care Team meeting accordingly.
Will the student know I made the referral?
It is recommended that before making a referral to the Care Team, Western employees and peers talk to the student first about their concerns and, when appropriate, refer the student to campus resources. However, there may be circumstances when this is not appropriate or possible. If requested in the referral form, members of the Care Team will take careful effort not to disclose the reporting party’s name. Due to the small size of our community or nature of your concern, however, the student may be able to guess who made the referral.
Can my report be anonymous?
Yes. However, please be aware if the Care Team is unable to follow up with you to verify information or ask clarifying questions, it may limit our ability to assist the student.
Will I be updated about the Care Team's response after making a referral?
The Care Team will make every effort to get back to you; however, we must maintain the student's privacy and some laws may keep us from sharing details about our follow up with you. If you have questions related to a referral you made, please contact the Counseling and Case Management Services department at 608-785-9899 (leave message) or the dean of students at 608-785-9445.
How can I help the student directly?
Your expression of concern may be a critical factor in supporting a student’s well-being. You don’t need to play the role of a counselor; listening, expressing care, and offering resources to the student can go a long way!
When speaking with a student you are concerned for, we recommend the following strategies:
- Meet privately with the student.
- Express your concerns and caring.
- Ask open ended questions such as: "How are thing going for you?"
- Share specific signs you've observed using "I" statements. ("I've noticed lately that...")
- Listen attentively to the student's response and encourage them to talk (e.g. "Tell me more about that.")
- Ask the student what they think would help.
- Suggest resources and referrals. If possible, share any information you have about the particular resource you are suggesting and the potential benefit to the student. ("I know the folks in that office and they are really good at helping students work through these kinds of situations.")
