Download how to recognize and report behavior that concerns you

MARYANN RAYBUCK, LCSW
NOVACARES OFFICE
IS IT JUST STRESS?
When is it more than stress and becomes
concerning behavior?
• Are you seeing a marked deterioration in the
individual’s academic performance?
• Have you begun to worry about the individual’s
emotional state of mind?
• Do you have concerns about the individual’s
safety or the safety of others?
• Does the behavior cause you to worry or to feel
distress?
BEHAVIORAL & EMOTIONAL INDICATORS
• Direct statements indicating
distress or loss
• Emotional outbursts that are
disruptive to the learning
environment
• More exaggerated or erratic
than normal (i.e. extremely
withdrawn, agitated, or
animated)
• Excessively demanding or
dependent behavior
• Aggressiveness (i.e. resentful,
hostile, frustrated)
• Extreme sensitivity, or
anxiety; inability to cope,
feelings of hopelessness or
worthlessness
Physical Indicators
• Visible changes in weight
• Deterioration in physical
appearance/ personal hygiene
• Noticeable cuts, bruises, or burns
• Confusion; disorganized speech;
excessive fatigue
• Shakiness, tremors, pacing
CONCERNING COMMUNICATIONS
• Inappropriate/disturbing verbal or
written communications .
• Communication suggesting delusion,
obsession, or a preoccupation with
weapons or violence.
• Language suggesting abuse/ suicide
ideation/ coercion/ or desperation.
The Power of You
Staff & Faculty are frequently in the best position to
notice and report student behavior.
Reporting low level concerns allows for intervention
before a behavior becomes more serious
Your reports allow for early intervention which is
critically important in student retention and in
keeping the college safe.
EMERGENCIES
When an individual
• Is expressing a direct threat to themselves or others,
• is acting in a bizarre and disconnected manner,
• Or becomes highly agitated and irrational,
TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY
AND
CALL CAMPUS POLICE!
NOVACARES
• Please report your concerns on the
NOVACares website.
• Reports may be filed anonymously
• Concerns about distressed students are
forwarded to your campus CARE team.
• Your report enables NOVA to assess risk
and flags individuals with multiple reports
across multiple campuses.
NOVACARES
Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation
CAMPUS CARE TEAMS
• A CARE team on every campus.
• Responds to the concerns of faculty, staff and
student
• Assesses risk level
• Develops and oversees the implementation of
a response plan
• CARE Team Members: Coordinator of
Counseling (chair), Police, Student Services,
Faculty, and Staff
WHY REPORT?
• Prevents silos of information within departments
and/or campuses.
• Increases the safety of our College.
• Encourages a way to consistently respond to
individuals of concern.
• Allows us to identify individuals in need who might
otherwise be overlooked.
NOVACares Website
• File a NOVACares report
• Find referrals to social service agencies and
community resources
• Faculty resources including “Recognizing and
Responding to Students In Distress : A Faculty
Handbook”.
• Obtain information on sexual assault services
including a Students’ Bill of Rights.
NOVA Resources
• NOVA SAS: Free & Confidential
assistance for sexual assault, partner
violence , stalking
• ACCESS HOPE: Free or Low cost
counseling
• WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAM:
Assistance for Veterans, Spouses and
Dependents.