Student Wellbeing

We believe that when someone is aware of a student who is in crisis, it is our responsibility to provide the student with appropriate assistance. College students often encounter a great deal of stress during the course of their academic experience. While most students cope successfully with the challenges of college life, an increasing number of students find the various pressures of these challenges unmanageable and unbearable. The resources below can help you in assisting students who demonstrate and/or disclose emotional distress. Each of us has our own comfort level; do the best you can. The most important thing is that you do something.

If you are interested in having a staff member from the Center for Student Wellbeing (CSW) present for your class, group, or organization, please complete this form:

REQUEST A CSW PRESENTATION

• Psychological/Behavioral Emergencies

  On rare occasions, you may find yourself interacting with a student who is experiencing distress so extreme they may pose a possible danger to themselves or others. Such cases are psychological/behavioral emergencies that require immediate intervention.

  Observable indications of potential immediate risk due to a psychological emergency may include:

  • Threatening to harm self or others verbally or in writing
  • Talking about not being around or giving possessions away
  • Expressing self-destructive or homicidal ideation
  • Actions that are violent and/or intimidating
  • Loss of rationality
  • Venting, screaming, swearing, etc.
  • Experiencing hallucinations (hearing, seeing, feeling things that no one else hears, sees, or feels). For example, hearing voices, seeing objects, or living things not heard or seen by others.

   

  If you believe that a student is experiencing a psychological / behavioral emergency and is at immediate risk of harming themselves or the college community call 911, then notify Campus Safety and Security at 312-369-1111.

• Emotional/Psychological Crisis

  At times you may interact with students who are experiencing an emotional / psychological crisis, and in need of immediate but not emergency intervention. Signs of an emotional / psychological crisis may include:

  • Expressing feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or foreshortened future
  • Abnormally elevated or agitated mood
  • Reports having been recently sexually assaulted.
  • Reports having recently experienced trauma in the form of witnessing or experiencing sexual and/or physical violence

  If you believe a student is experiencing an emotional / psychological crisis, contact the Center for Student Wellbeing Consultation Line at 312-369-8700.

  Similarly, you can refer the student to log on to TimelyCare and select the "Chat Now" feature, allowing them quick connection to a lincensed clinician.

  If a student is not in immediate crisis and needs support for issues that do not require immediate attention, please complete an Alert in the Student Success Communications (SSC) platform.

• How do I help a student access Mental Health services?

  College students often encounter a great deal of stress during the course of their academic experience. While most students cope successfully with the challenges of college life, an increasing number of students find the various pressures of these challenges unmanageable and unbearable. If you observe or have spoken to a student who is struggling in some capacity, you may want to make a referral to the Center for Student Wellbeing.

  Behavioral signs of possible distress:

  • Loss of academic efficiency: serious grade problems; excessive absences; marked change in previous level of performance
  • Withdrawal: significant relational/social isolation; not leaving residence hall room for sustained periods
  • Anxiety: pacing, muscle tension, sweating, etc; and impaired thinking: worrying, ruminating, easily distracted, etc.
  • Depression: excessive crying, fatigue, change of appetite, disturbed or excessive sleeping, change in hygiene, negative thinking along themes of hopelessness and helplessness
  • Dramatic increase in alcohol or drug use

   

  If you observe or have spoken to a student who is demonstrating emotional distress

  • Let the student know that you've noticed changes in behavior and that they seem to be struggling. Be specific regarding the behaviors that raise concerns, such as "You've been crying," or "You're no longer participating in class." Or “You’ve had to leave class on multiple occasions.”
  • Ask if the student would like to talk with you about it.
  • Listen. Try not to rush to fix, advise, correct, or disagree
  • Empathize. Reflect on what you the student says and what it would be like to be in the student's situation
  • Normalize. Acknowledge and discuss the student's fears and concerns
  • Speak directly to the student in a straightforward fashion
  • For students who seem to need more than you are able or willing to provide, or if professional counseling seems indicated, suggest that a mental health professional through either the TimelyCare app or at the Center for Student Wellbeing might be helpful and that these professionals are available to provide confidential help to students dealing with problems or concerns like theirs.
  • Refrain from coercing or tricking the student into seeking counseling. The option must be left open for the student to accept or refuse counseling EXCEPT in emergencies
  • Follow up with the student later to indicate a continued interest, even if he or she did not accept the referral
• What about students who won't go seek out services?

  If it seems clear that a student might benefit from counseling, but is reluctant to connect, you might mention any of the following that seem appropriate for that student:

  • The student might try one session to see how it seems.
  • They can log on to the TimelyCare app and either select "Talk Now" to connect to the next available provider, or they can search the TimelyCare provider list to find a provider that they wish to meet with at a date and time that works for them.
  • The visit will be kept confidential, unless a threat to self/others is identified.
  • Students with very troubling concerns often get help through on-campus providers or virtually through TimelyCare.
  • A student doesn't have to be seriously disturbed or wait until there is a crisis to benefit from accessing mental health and wellbeing services.
  • Both staff in the Center for Student Wellbeing and through TimelyCare will make referrals to providers and agencies in the community if the student prefers to seek support elsewhere.
  • Using mental health and wellbeing services doesn't mean a person is weak for not handling their problems on their own, but often means they are wise for utilizing an available resource.
  • Follow up with the student to give them another opportunity to talk.

  After you have attempted to connect with the student and direct them to options, it is possible another level of outreach from our Wellbeing and/or Student Assistance teams may be beneficial. In such circumstances, please submit a Student Success Alert.

• How do I know if a student is getting services?

  Without a student's written consent, staff in the Center for Student Wellbeing is not able to confirm or deny that a student has recieved services from our office. Our staff, however, can provide consultation to members of the Columbia College Community who may be concerned about a student's emotional wellbeing. If you are concerned about a student and want to discuss an issue, please contact the Center for Student Wellbeing's Consultation Line at (312) 369-8700. We can listen to your concerns and assist you in developing a plan to best support the student.

  Additionally, when submitting a Student Success Alert, it may not always be possible for our team to circle-back to the submitter to provide an update. Please trust that we have received your alert and are doing our best to engage the student. If you have specific concerns regarding follow-up, please contact the Dean of Students Office at (312) 369-8595 for assistance.

  As a reminder, professional standards of confidentiality are followed by the entire Center for Student Wellbeing staff. Personal health information provided to our office is protected unless a student provides written permission to release that information. Exceptions to this policy exist when confidential information is needed to protect a student’s health or safety or is mandated by law.

• Additional Resources

  Additional Resources

  Suicide Prevention and Response Protocol