While we strive to give students a rewarding experience at CU Boulder, we recognize that students may also face extenuating circumstances during their time here. Events such as hospitalization, mental health concerns, family emergencies or loss of a loved one can happen unexpectedly during a student’s college career and may negatively impact their academic success.
Faculty and staff can be the first people to notice when a student is going through a tough time. You might see a decline in their work, unusual unresponsiveness or even changes in physical appearance.
If this is the case, Student Support & Case Management (SSCM) is available to provide individualized support to students. SSCM case managers connect students with campus partners, community resources and support systems, while also building a trusting relationship and coaching them toward self-advocacy.
The first step to getting students that assistance is by recognizing they need help, and then referring them to SSCM. Here’s how.
Learn to recognize a student in distress
SSCM supports students with varying extenuating circumstances, needs or personal life events that may impact their educational career. Some of the more common reasons to refer a student to SSCM include, but are not limited to:
- Concern for a student’s mental health
- Hospitalization (physical or mental health)
- Suicidal ideation
- Harm to self or others
- Loss of a loved one
- Family emergency
- Threatening behavior
Faculty and staff can learn to recognize if a student is experiencing a difficult situation by watching for signs of distress. These can be academic, physical, psychological or safety risk concerns. Some common signs to be aware of are below. However, this is not an all-inclusive list and students in distress may present through signs not listed.
Talk to the student about your concerns
Once you recognize a student in distress, take the time to let the student know that you have noticed changes. Listen to their concerns and offer your help. Acknowledging their distress and giving your support may increase the chances of the student seeking help.
Start by using “I” statements to effectively voice your concerns and describe what you have been seeing. Also, try to avoid yes or no questions. Focus on asking open-ended questions that allow the student to express themselves. Examples are:
- “I’ve noticed that your grades and quality of work have started to drop. I know that’s not like you and I wanted to check in to see how you’re doing. What are some things you are currently struggling with?”
- “I’ve noticed you’ve been more reserved and less engaged in class recently. What do you think might be going on?”
- “I’ve noticed you haven’t been responding to my emails and requests for us to meet, and I’m worried about you. How are things going for you?”
Listen to your student’s response and ask clarifying questions if needed. Do not respond with judgment and avoid saying things like “everything will be alright.” We do not want to over promise an outcome. Instead, listen and refer the student to resources when necessary.
Refer the student to Student Support & Case Management
What is case management?
Case management is a solution-focused approach to assisting students and meeting the various, complex needs of those individual students and their families. Student Support & Case Management is not counseling or therapy; rather, our case managers have the opportunity to develop close helping relationships with students while coaching them toward appropriate self-care and self-advocacy.
There are three ways to refer a student to SSCM:
- Fill out the online referral form.
- Call SSCM at 303-492-7348.
- Email the department at sscm@colorado.edu.
It’s okay to be unsure if the student needs help. The severity of a student’s distress may be unclear, or you may be concerned about a student and don’t know how to move forward. The best way to help those students is by consulting about the situation and referring them.
Even if students do not need immediate assistance, they still may be experiencing academic or personal issues and could use support. Faculty and staff are encouraged to refer those students to SSCM as well. Here are additional campus resources that can also help.
For more information on recognizing a student in distress and referring them to resources, find guidance in the CU Red Folder.
Mandatory reporting
All staff in Student Support & Case Management are mandated reporters. In addition to referring a student to resources, any instances of sexual misconduct, intimate partner abuse (including dating and domestic violence), stalking, protected-class discrimination or harassment, or related retaliation must be reported to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC). Student Support & Case Management respects students’ privacy but is not a confidential resource.
There may also be times that a student comes to you with a need to speak confidentially or hypothetically about sexual misconduct, intimate partner abuse, stalking, discrimination or harassment. If a student needs to speak with a confidential resource and wants help processing any related trauma can be referred to the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) at 303-492-8855.
For questions regarding these issues or the obligation to report, please contact OIEC at 303-492-2127.