There are many potential signs that indicate a student is experiencing distress. Listed below are some examples:

Signals:

• Academic struggles 
• Family issues 
• Financial stress 
• Grief and/or loss 
• Loss of motivation 
• Medical or physical health concerns
• Alcohol or drug abuse: including coming to class intoxicated 

Behaviors:

• Procrastination, poor class attendance, little or no work completed 
• Changes in personal behavior

If you have these concerns about a student, please issue an alert on Navigate (https://uwosh.campus.eab.com/)  so a Student Success Navigator can reach out to assist the student or call a Navigator at (920) 424-2909.

We work closely with them to coordinate care and provide advocate to our students to ensure that they are set up for success. 

If a student exhibits disruptive of worrisome behavior and may be at risk of harming either themselves or others, or who pose a significant disruption . Listed below are some examples: 

• Depressed mood or ongoing sadness
• Displays anger or negative emotions inappropriately
• Disturbing or threatening written materials/communications
• Hospitalization for mental health
• Threatens violent behavior 

If you have these concerns about a student, please fill out the BIT form.

Urgent concerns that warrant immediate intervention include:

• Suicide risk
• Loss of control
• Possibility of harming/hurting oneself or someone else
• Out of touch with reality

In such instances please contact the appropriate resource listed below:

Police

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

Counseling Center

• (920) 424-2061

24-Hour Crisis Hotline

• (920) 233-7707 (Winnebago County)
• 1-800-273-TALK (National Network)

Dean of Students Office

• (920) 424-3100

Those teaching online courses or who are interacting with students electronically can have some unique concerns. Here is information specific to this environment:

First, Don’t Worry Alone

Instructors should always have a low threshold to picking up the phone to call the Counseling Center staff (920) 424-2061 or Dean of Students Office (920) 424-3100. Regardless of which office you call, we will consult with each other or refer the instructor to the other office depending upon who can best meet the need.

In Case of Emergency, Get Others Involved

What constitutes an emergency and what action should be taken?

• If a student is speaking/writing about a plan or intention to harm self or others or writing at length about wanting to die, this should prompt an immediate call to the Dean of Students Office.
• If you believe that the student’s safety or the safety of others is at immediate risk, call the University Police (920) 424-1212 or 911.

It is appropriate to provide police with the students contact information as well as all relevant information under these circumstances. University Police, pursuant to a call regarding the safety and security of a student, will assess the information and determine appropriate actions to take in order to check on the welfare of that student.

Actions may include, but are not limited to:

• personal contact
• phone contact
• contact with family and friends
• use of outside agencies to facilitate these contacts