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Red Folder at CU

  1. Offices and Departments
  2. Counseling Center
  3. Red Folder at CU

Commonwealth University faculty and staff are in a unique position to demonstrate care and compassion for students in distress. The purpose of this folder is to help you recognize potential symptoms of distress and identify appropriate campus resources to refer students to.

Illustration of Mountain
Illustration of Mountain

How to Use

  1. Recognize – Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of students who may be in psychological distress.
  2. Respond – Learn skills to effectively intervene and address students of concern.
  3. Refer – Use the resource list to refer students to appropriate campus / community resources.

High Distress

 

College is stressful and filled with challenges, both in and outside of the classroom. Life stressors can disrupt functioning and feel unmanageable for some students, and many may be experiencing anxiety or depression. As a result of your frequent and prolonged contact, you may be the first person to notice a student in distress, so it is important to know the signs and act with compassion.

Recognize

 

Use the lists below to review common signs of distress. Pay attention to changes in behavior and look for groupings, frequency, severity, duration, and persistence, not just isolated symptoms. Keep in mind that every student is different- some students may present with indicators not listed, and what might be a concern for one student might not be for another.

  • Sudden decline in quality of work and grades; disorganized performance
  • Repeated lateness/absenteeism
  • Multiple requests for extensions/special considerations (a change from prior functioning)
  • Recurrent missed, late, or incomplete assignments
  • Disturbing content in writing or presentations
  • Lack of or significant decrease in class participation/engagement
  • Avoiding emails and commitments
  • Overly demanding of faculty’s time/attention
  • Seeking personal rather than professional/academic support or advice
  • Conduct that interferes with classroom, group work, or activity engagement
  • Expressing a need to withdraw from the University
  • Withdrawn behavior, lack of social interaction or response to peers
  • Appearing disheveled, despondent, disoriented, or "out of it"
  • Rapid speech, manic behavior, easily agitated, or restless
  • Marked changes in physical appearance (e.g. noticeable lack of grooming/hygiene, weight loss/gain)
  • Excessive fatigue, falling asleep in class
  • Lack of interest/engagement
  • Difficulty staying focused
  • Evidence of substance use (e.g. intoxication, hangovers, smelling of alcohol)
  • Behavior otherwise bizarre, out of context, or out of character for the individual
  • Observable signs or knowledge of injury, medical issues, hospitalizations or surgery 
  • Observable changes in mood (e.g. tearfulness, mood swings, irritability, panic attacks)
  • Self-disclosure of personal distress (e.g. family/financial problems, grief, trauma)
  • Expressions of concern about the student from peers
  • Unusual/disproportionate emotional responses to events
  • Excessive tearfulness, panic reactions, extreme anxiety or unwillingness to participate in projects/exams
  • Feeling socially disconnected or lack of belonging
  • Delusions or paranoia
  • Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation) 
  • Statements of apathy, hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness
  • Signs of physical abuse/ self-harm (e.g. cuts, bruises, injuries)
  • Communicating threats/ disturbing comments, verbal abuse
  • Assignments dominated by themes of death, hopelessness, despair, agitation, or harm to self/others
  • Verbal, written or implied references to suicide, homicide or self-harm
  • Behaviors that cause others to feel fearful or concerned for safety
  • Inappropriate anger in response to real or perceived grievances/slights

Trust your instincts – You see your students regularly. If something concerns you, trust your gut, err on the side of caution, and say something. It may be nothing, but by expressing concern, you may help save a student’s academic career or even their life.

Respond

 

Use the pointers listed below to determine the most effective response. Each situation is unique, but you should always try to speak to the student privately, allow sufficient time to meet, and remember - the quickest solution is not always the most helpful. Feeling overwhelmed is common and means you care. Take time to breath and invite the student to do the same.

  • Speak calmly with a moderate pace and volume, using neutral and nonjudgmental statements
  • Let them know you are here for them
  • Be present and engaged - give your full attention, maintain eye contact, remove distractions
  • Use empathetic statements
  • Offer to help where you can
  • Be direct and clearly state your concerns
  • Describe the changes you have observed
  • Stick to the facts and don’t make assumptions
  • Use neutral, nonjudgmental statements
  • Ask if they are okay
  • Give full attention and eye contact
  • Actively listen and be patient
  • Be curious and ask open-ended questions
  • Validate and affirm their feelings
  • Restate what they say to ensure understanding
  • Directly ask if they want to harm themselves, if concerned
  • Reaffirm support and care
  • Review and determine resources; provide referrals
  • Frame any decision to seek help as a wise choice
  • Assist them with making the first step
  • Make a plan to follow-up
  • If student is suicidal, do not leave them alone. If speaking virtually, determine their location and try to keep them on the line until help arrives 

Refer

 

Use the decision tree and resource list to help you determine the appropriate referrals when supporting a student in distress.

Is the student a danger to self/others, or does the student need immediate assistance for any reason?
 

Yes
  • Imminent harm to self or others, threatening/dangerous behavior
    Call 911 or contact CUPD at 570-389-2211; submit follow-up referral to Dean of Students CARE Team
  • Suicidal ideation/mental health concerns
    Contact CUCS at 570-389-4255 or CUPD after hours at 570-389-2211
I’m not sure
It’s not clear how serious it is, but I feel uneasy and/or concerned
  • Student IS with me currently
    Consult with CUCS at 570-389-4255 or contact CUPD at 570-389-2211 (after hours)
  • Student IS NOT with me currently
    Submit a CARE team referral through the Dean of Students office. A case manager will then reach out to the student during regular hours.
No
  • I’m not concerned for the student’s immediate safety, but they are having significant academic and/or personal struggles and could use some support
  • Refer to appropriate campus resources. If unsure where to start, the Dean of Students office may be a good option 757-683-3442

Crisis Emergency

Imminent Emergency911
National Mental Health Crisis Line988 or text HELP to 741-741
 BloomsburgLock Haven Mansfield
Campus Police570-389-2211570-484-2278570-662-4900
Town Police570-784-4155570-893-5911570-662-3093
TAPline / Crisis lines1-800-222-90161-844-707-32241-877-724-7142

Campus Resources

 BloomsburgLock Haven Mansfield
Counseling Services570-389-4255
counseling@commonwealthu.edu 		570-484-2479
counselingservices@commonwealthu.edu 		570-662-4436
counseling@commonwealthu.edu  
Dean of Students570-389-4820
deanofstudents@commonwealthu.edu		570-484-2359
rlb8163@commonwealthu.edu		570-662-4681
asanko@commonwealthu.edu
Title IX Coordinator570-389-4808
titleixcoord@commonwealthu.edu		570-484-2295
cackels@commonwealthu.edu		570-662-4687
nbook@commonwealthu.edu
Women's & LGBTQA Resource Centers570-389-3933
mwein@commonwealthu.edu		570-484-2599
jharry2@commonwealthu.edu		570-662-4987
aensminger@commonwealthu.edu
Student Health Services570-389-4451
healthservicesbu@commonwealthu.edu		570-484-2276
healthserviceslhu@commonwealthu.edu		570-662-4350
campusclinicmu@commonwealthu.edu
Student Well-Being and Health Promotion570-389-4934
khammaker@commonwealthu.edu		  
Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Prevention and Intervention570-389-4977
myeick@commonwealthu.edu		  
Campus Cupboard570-389-4734
deanofstudents@commonwealthu.edu		havencupboard@lockhaven.edu570-662-4494
twelch@commonwealthu.edu

National Hotlines

RAINN National Sexual Assault
Hotline		1-800-656-4673
Trevor Project (support for
LGBTQ+ individuals)		1-866-488-7386
Text START to 678-678
Steve Fund (support for BIPOC
individuals)		Text STEVE to 741741

Community Resources

Bloomsburg CampusBloomsburg Local Referral List
Lock Haven CampusLock Haven Local Referral List
Mansfield CampusMansfield Local Referral List

Crisis Emergency

Imminent Emergency911
National Mental Health Crisis Line988 or text HELP to 741-741
Campus Police
  • Bloomsburg
    570-389-2211
  • Lock Haven
    570-484-2278
  • Mansfield
    570-662-4900
Town Police
  • Bloomsburg
    570-784-4155
  • Lock Haven
    570-893-5911
  • Mansfield
    570-662-3093
TAPline / Crisis Lines
  • Bloomsburg
    1-800-222-9016
  • Lock Haven
    1-844-707-3224
  • Mansfield
    1-877-724-7142

Campus Resources

Counseling Services
Dean of Students
Title IX Coordinator
Women's & LGBTQA Resource Centers
Student Health Services
Student Well-Being and Health Promotion
Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Prevention and Intervention
Campus Cupboard

National Hotlines

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline1-800-656-4673
Trevor Project (support for LGBTQ+ individuals)1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
Steve Fund (support for BIPOC individuals)Text STEVE to 741741

Community Resources

Bloomsburg
Lock Haven
Mansfield

Crisis Emergency

Imminent Emergency
  • 911
National Mental Health Crisis Line
  • 988 or text HELP to 741-741
Campus Police
  • Bloomsburg
    570-389-2211
  • Lock Haven
    570-484-2278
  • Mansfield
    570-662-4900
Town Police
  • Bloomsburg
    570-784-4155
  • Lock Haven
    570-893-5911
  • Mansfield
    570-662-3093
TAPline / Crisis lines
  • Bloomsburg
    1-800-222-9016
  • Lock Haven
    1-844-707-3224
  • Mansfield
    1-877-724-7142

Campus Resources

Counseling Services
Dean of Students
Title IX Coordinator
Women's & LGBTQA Resource Centers
Student Health Services
Student Well-Being and Health Promotion
Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Prevention and Intervention
Campus Cupboard

National Hotlines

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
  • 1-800-656-4673
Trevor Project (support for LGBTQ+ individuals)
  • 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
Steve Fund (support for BIPOC individuals)
  • Text STEVE to 741741

Community Resources

Bloomsburg
Lock Haven
Mansfield
  • "You’ve seemed down the past few classes. Is everything okay?"
  • "It sounds like you’ve been going through a really hard time. I’m concerned and want to support you."
  • "That sounds really challenging and I want to help you. Let’s take some time to figure this out together."
  • "It sounds like you’ve really been struggling. Why don’t I help you schedule an appointment at the counseling center for some extra support?"
  • "I can see that you’re really overwhelmed. Why don’t you tell me a little bit more about what’s been going on and how I can help?"

Counseling Services Dean of Students Care Team Title IX

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What's Next?

  • Always document your interactions and utilize colleagues, supervisors, and department chairs for consultation
    after any incident
  • Reflect on your own boundaries, self-care, and support needs
  • Utilize the Employee Assistance Programs (SEAP) or other wellness resources available to faculty/staff if needed
  • Consider campus reporting requirements and if there are any Title IX or crime-related reports you must file
  • Understand that due to privacy regulations, it may not be possible for campus resources to provide you with
    additional information following a referral
  • Utilize HR Connect or consult with Human Resources at 717-720-4040 for additional information

Contact