A Guide for Helping Faculty and Staff

We all play an important role in supporting the well-being of students at Acadia. This guide provides basic tips and resources to assist faculty and staff who encounter a student in distress.

Pay attention to warning signs

You may be the first person to see signs that a student is in distress. Do not assume the student has somebody else to talk to.

  • Is the student reporting significant problems?
  • Have others expressed concern about the student?
  • Do you see changes in mood, difficulty controlling emotions, or other changes in behaviour?
Reach out and offer your support

Trust your instincts. It's OK to say something if you're worried about a student. You may also need to share your concerns with a colleague to provide the student with the support they need.

  • Meet in a private location, be patient, and give your full attention.
  • Be specific about the behaviour that you've noticed, and express your concern.
    "I've noticed you've been absent from class lately and I'm concerned about you."
  • Offer hope and reassure them that you are concerned and want to help.
    "I'm concerned about you and I want to support you." "It sounds like you're feeling out of place. Can I help?"
  • Acknowledge their thoughts and feelings in a compassionate way.
  • Ask open-ended questions.
    "Is there anything I can do to help you?" "Are you OK?"
Encourage a student to seek support

A student may not know help is available or may hesitate to ask for it.

  • Acknowledge that it can be scary.
  • Point out that help is available and seeking help is a sign of strength.
  • Connect the student with the appropriate resources.
  • If the student is reluctant, offer to contact the resource on their behalf, or sit with them while they make the initial contact.
    "If you'd like, I can call and book the appointment for you while you are here with me."
  • You can also accompany the students to an appointment, if appropriate, and you feel comfortable.
  • Offer to follow up with the student, but don't insist on knowing details.
Identify your concerns using Early Alert

Always submit an Early Alert concern as part of your response, regardless of the perceived severity.

earlyalert@acadiau.ca


Step 1: Observe and Reflect

Reflect on what you've seen and heard. Write down your answers to the following: What did I see? What did I hear? How many similar incidents involving the student have I witnessed?

Step 2: Respond

Respond as you feel appropriate. It's OK to feel unsure about how to respond and you don't need to have all the answers. Choosing any response over remaining silent is always best.

Step 3: Use Early Alert

Early Alert was created to inform Student Services about students who may benefit from support. If you have a student missing classes, not submitting assignments, and/or not responding to emails, you can now send your concerns via Early Alert.

Use the examples below to help determine next steps:

I am concerned about the student's immediate safety: there may be imminent risk of harm to self or others

  • Student is violent, destructive, harmful, aggressive, or threatening to self or others
  • Student is incoherent/unintelligible
  • Potential drug overdose or alcohol poisoning
  • Distortions of reality
  • Student cannot be calmed
  What should I do?

Call 911 And Campus Security

First, call Emergency Services: 911. Next, call Safety & Security for 24/7 access to professional help: (902) 585-1103, or 88 from a campus phone.

 

I am concerned about the student's state of mind: risk of harm to self or others is escalating

  • Self-harming behaviour such as cutting, hitting, or restricted eating
  • Expresses hopelessness or references suicide
  • Excessive dieting, binge eating or induced vomiting after eating
  • Difficulty communicating
  • Considering withdrawal from school or is in jeopardy of failing
  • Withdrawal from social interactions and academic work
  • Experiencing violence, abuse, or traumatic event such as assault, loss of a loved one, discrimination, stalking, harassment, etc.
  • Mental health appears to be significantly deteriorating
  What should I do?

Contact Student Resource Centre

First, call the Student Resource Centre and request a same-day urgent appointment for the student, and/or request to consult with a counsellor: 902-585-1246.

Encourage the student to  go directly to:
Student Resource Centre, Acadia SUB, Lower Level
After-hours contact Safety & Security: 902-585-1103
Contact Nova Scotia Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167

If a student says "no" to a referral:

  • Respect their decision. Accepting or refusing assitance is the student's choice, except in emergencies.
  • Don't force the issue or trick them into going to a referred resource.
  • Leave room for reconsideration later on.

 

I am concerned about the student's general well-being: risk of harm to self or others is likely low

  • Experiencing relationship problems, homesickness, a traumatic event, lack of social support, or physical health problems.
  • Acaddemicconcerns.
  • Experiencing difficulties such as depression, anxiety, agitation, grief, or anger.
  • Marked changes in appearance or hygeine.
  What should I do?

Connnect the Student to Support

Counselling Services: counselling.acadiau.ca
Student Health Services: healthservices.acadiau.ca
Accessible Learning Services: accessiblelearning.acadiau.ca
Academic Advising: academicadvising.acadiau.ca
Sexual Violence Support: sexualviolencesupport.acadiau.ca

If a student says "no" to a referral:

  • Respect their decision. Accepting or refusing assitance is the student's choice, except in emergencies.
  • Don't force the issue or trick them into going to a referred resource.
  • Leave room for reconsideration later on.