For Parents/Supporters

College life is exciting, but at times the challenges might feel somewhat overwhelming. Our experience indicates that students will often talk to friends, family, faculty or staff about problems before they talk to us. We want you to be aware of the wealth of resources on campus so you can provide the most effective assistance to the student in need.

There are many potential signs that indicate a student may be experiencing distress.  Below are some examples:

• Withdrawal or isolation from others
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Increased and/or excessive use of alcohol/substances
• Increased irritability
• Marked change in hygiene or behavior
• Marked change in appetite
• Sleep disturbances: including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Suicidal expression, thoughts, or threats

What you can do if a student is need of help:

• Encourage and assist the student to seek supportive services with:
  • Counseling Center
  • Dean of Students Office
  • Residence Life
  • Student Health Center
• Contact the Counseling Center at (920) 424-2061 or the Dean of Students Office at (920) 424-3100 to consult about the student of concern.
• Complete a Referral Form by clicking here

For Faculty/Staff

We greatly appreciate the opportunity to partner with you all in supporting the needs of our students. As a member of our University community, you impact the lives of our students on a daily basis. Students often go to you when they need support or have questions. Therefore, students may see you as the first person to go to when they are upset or concerned about school. You may be the first (or only) person who recognizes that a student is not functioning well, either academically or personally.

What can you do when you suspect a student may need help, and you are willing to take the initiative and reach out to him or her?

While you are not expected to assess and treat mental health problems, you are in a position to recognize distress and are responsible for inquiring further about the situation. Mental Health issues can impact and sometimes jeopardize student college careers. Reaching out to students not only helps them personally, but enhances their academic success.

There are many potential signs that indicate a student may be experiencing distress. Below are some examples of signals and behaviors of distress:

Signals

• Depression: poor concentration, loss of interest, withdrawal
• Agitation: anxious, cannot sit still
• Disorientation: seems ‘out of it’, may exhibit bizarre behavior
• Suicidal expression, thoughts or threats
• Alcohol or drug abuse: including coming to class intoxicated

Behavior

• Increased irritability, undue aggressive or abrasive behavior
• Excessive procrastination, poor class attendance, little or no work completed
• Marked change in personal hygiene
• Dependency (e.g., the student who hangs around or makes excessive appointments to see you)
• Alarming or dangerous behaviors

How do you proceed if you have concerns for a student who may be experiencing distress?

Faculty and Staff are encouraged to contact the Counseling Center at 920-424-2061 or the Dean of Students Office at 920-424-3100 to consult about a student of concern. Students of concern could be brought to the attention of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) as well.

What is the Behavioral Intervention Team?

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is a multidisciplinary team, dedicated to identifying, evaluating, and responding to behaviors that have raised concern indicating the potential for violence or the need for support. 

The team’s purpose is to centralize the reporting of concerns and encourage a proactive approach to intervention. The team meets regularly to perform an initial assessment of risk and develops a support plan, within existing University policies, to mitigate risk and promote individual well-being and success. 

The overarching philosophy of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is that all students can benefit from coordinated care. If you are concerned about a student, call the Dean of Students Office at (920) 424-3100 for assistance.

How will you know if the student needs immediate intervention?

Urgent concerns that warrant immediate intervention include:

• Suicide risk
• Loss of control
• Possibility of harming/hurting oneself or someone else
• Sexual assault
• Physical assault
• Recent death of friend or family member
• Out of touch with reality

In such instances, staff and faculty should contact the appropriate resource listed below:

Police

• 911
• 920-424-1212 (University Police)

Counseling Center

• 920-424-2061

Dean of Students Office

• 920-424-3100

24-Hour Crisis Hotline

• 920-233-7707 (Winnebago County)
• 920-929-3535 (Fond du Lac County)
• 920-832-4646 (Outagamie County)
• 920-849-9317 (Calumet County)
• 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)