Although the terms ‘concerning’ and ‘worrisome’ are subjective, the following list of indicators provides some context when assessing whether a student may need additional support:
Academic Indicators
- Persistent unexplained absences.
- Deterioration in quality/quantity of work.
- Extreme disorganization or erratic performance.
- Written or artistic expressions of unusual violence, morbidity, social isolation, despair or confusion.
- Continual seeking of special permission (extensions, make-up work).
- Patterns of perfectionism.
- Disproportionate response to grades or other evaluations.
Emotional Indicators
- Direct statements indicating distress.
- Significant change in mood.
- Angry or hostile outbursts, yelling or aggressive comments.
- More withdrawn or more animated than usual.
- Appears over-anxious.
- Excessively demanding or dependent behavior.
- Fails to respond to outreach from staff/faculty.
Physical Indicators
- Deterioration in physical appearance or personal hygiene.
- Excessive fatigue, exhaustion.
- Erratic or disjointed thinking – skips around a lot; unable to stay focused on one topic; topics don’t align.
- Noticeable cuts, bruises, burns.
- Frequent or chronic illness.
- Disorganized speech, rapid or slurred speech; confusion.
- Substance abuse.
Other factors to consider
- Concern expressed by another student or teaching assistant.
- Student is experiencing substantial and prolonged financial or legal problems.
- A sixth sense or hunch that something is wrong.
Source: North Carolina State University & Syracuse University
Faculty, staff, students, parents, family members or any concerned person can refer a student to the case managers in the Center for Cura Personalis.
Gonzaga University community members are strongly encouraged to report student behaviors that they feel are concerning or worrisome, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.Early identification of a concern means being proactive, providing outreach and resources to students, and promoting a community of care for our campus.
Early intervention means rapid solutions: Often, a quick response to provide a distressed student with timely resources will ensure that the student remains successful academically. Late intervention often involves missed classes, isolation from friends and family, possible withdrawals or late drops and an overall interruption in the student’s experience.
Connecting the Dots: Our office receives reports from all over campus. Our ability to connect your concerns with the concerns of others means we can provide a greater level of support for each student involved.
We Care, You Care: Making a referral shows that you care enough to get the student the help they need. It means you are not prepared to let a student fall through the cracks. It means our community takes care of its members.
It Might Be Required: Under certain circumstances, faculty and staff are obligated to report acts of violence and other threatening behaviors.
Source: NC State CARES and Syracuse University
Early intervention means rapid solutions: Often, a quick response to provide a distressed student with timely resources will ensure that the student remains successful academically. Late intervention often involves missed classes, isolation from friends and family, possible withdrawals or late drops and an overall interruption in the student’s experience.
Connecting the Dots: Our office receives reports from all over campus. Our ability to connect your concerns with the concerns of others means we can provide a greater level of support for each student involved.
We Care, You Care: Making a referral shows that you care enough to get the student the help they need. It means you are not prepared to let a student fall through the cracks. It means our community takes care of its members.
It Might Be Required: Under certain circumstances, faculty and staff are obligated to report acts of violence and other threatening behaviors.
Source: NC State CARES and Syracuse University
- All reports are submitted through Salesforce and are confidential based on University policy, state, and federal laws.
- The report is received by the Director (or their designee) in the Center for Cura Personalis
- Each report is evaluated with the NABITA Risk Assessment Rubric.
- The case manager will make an initial determination of the level of risk. Cases are determined to be of a “mild,” “moderate,” “elevated,” “severe,” or “extreme risk.”
- All cases that are assessed with an “elevated,”, “severe,”, or “extreme” risk are immediately forwarded to the Behavior Intervention Team(BIT).
- Cases that are determined to be “mild,” or “moderate” risk remain in Salesforce and will be addressed by a case manager who is assigned to the case. Case managers are assigned based on caseload, unique lived experiences, and prior history with a referred student (SEE CCP Manual).
- The case manager will initiate outreach and communication to the necessary resources both on- and off campus. The case manager will coordinate communication with faculty.
- A case manager may follow up with the person who submits the report to seek additional information or clarification.
- The type of intervention is dependent on the behavior. Such interventions might include referrals to counseling, academic support services, or referrals to emergency resources for Basic Needs.
- Case managers will assist the person of concern with coordination of resources as well as follow-up on progress. A case manager may determine there is no need to take any further action but will monitor the situation of concerns.
- Allow the student to talk freely.
- Help the student to clarify the problem.
- Identify strategies they have utilized in the past that may have worked.
- Identify possible campus resources.
- Encourage the student to seek support.
- Do not promise confidentiality.
- Take them seriously; ask directly about what is going on.
- Respect and accept student’s value system.
When helping a student in distress, trust your own insight and reactions. It is essential to know your limitations and when to seek further assistance by [link to email case managers in CCP] or by calling [CCP phone number, maybe?].
Source: NC State CARES and Syracuse University
Case managers review referrals throughout the day, Monday-Friday during business hours. Case managers will acknowledge that your referral is received within 24 hours on the next business day. Follow-up steps may include contacting you for additional information, outreach to the student directly and/or any other identified participants with relevant information. If you have questions or concerns and would like to speak with a case manager regarding your referral, contact us by email at ccp@gonzaga.edu or 509-313-2227.
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