Tips and Suggestions

• Check in with yourself–how are you feeling and what do you need to help this student?
• Keep safety (yours and that of those around you) in mind. If there is risk of imminent danger, contact 911 or UPD (x5222).
• Complete available mental health trainings (i.e. QPR, Mental Health First Aid) to help with comfort around difficulty topics and build active listening skills.
• Be proactive and check in with students early on.
• Make time and space available to speak to students directly.
• Act from a place of empathy and concern rather than judgment or dismissiveness.
• Avoid the tendency to “fix” everything, provide false reassurance, or make promises you can’t keep.
• Ask about harm to self or others directly.
• Ensure that students know how to access identified resources.
• Document interactions with distressed students–consider issuing an early alert through EAB Navigate.
• Ask for additional help if needed, including calling Counseling Services for consultation.
• Talk to others who may be able to support you such as your supervisor or department chair. 
• Connect with the Dean of Students.
• Allow yourself a minute to regroup after a challenging experience. Take a deep breath, relax your forehead, unclench your jaw, and/or drop your shoulders.

NOTE: If a student is at immediate risk to self or others, call UPD at x5222 or dial 911.