Mental Health Resources

What to Look For

How to Respond

• STAY CALM. Try not to take it personally. Your student’s reactions and feelings are about them not you.
• BE SUPPORTIVE. Bring up what you notice. When you notice signs of distress, do something! Phone or video calls are more personal and ideal, but sending emails for non-crisis situations is okay, too.
• PLEASE NOTIFY THE UMKC CARE TEAM AND COUNSELING SERVICES if a student is in danger of dismissal.
• REMEMBER THE POSITIVES when discussing difficult topics with students. Let them know what they are doing well and strengths they have, in addition to your concerns. If you are recommending counseling, let them know how it can improve things, as opposed to simply solving their problems. For example, “Counseling can teach you stress management skills that could be very helpful.”
• TALK ABOUT WHAT IS OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOR USING “I” STATEMENTS. Labeling behavior is stigmatizing and not helpful. Telling a student, “You are acting weird or unusual” is only going to shut them down and make them defensive. Letting them know what you have seen will keep them open to what you are saying. So, instead, you would tell that student, “I have noticed you are speaking more slowly than you usually do and you seem to be having more difficulty concentrating in our conversations.” It is okay to say “I am concerned and I want to help.”
• BE THEIR TEACHER AND MENTOR, NOT THEIR FRIEND OR COUNSELOR. Stay focused on behaviors relevant to academic performance and don’t offer yourself for support. Ask them if they have friends or family they can talk to, or if they have considered talking to someone, like a counselor. Don’t teach them skills or tell them how to solve their problems, but let them know that’s how a counselor could help them if they are interested. And don’t diagnose their problem. It’s not helpful to suggest if you think they may have depression, anxiety, or something else; if you think they have an issue like this, refer them to Counseling Services.
• PROVIDE SUPPORT AND CONCERN, LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGMENT. Don’t argue with a student. It is not going to turn out well for either of you to get into an argument about whether they should seek help or if they are having false or delusional ideas. Stay focused on their feelings and experience, rather than the thoughts or refusal to seek help.
• PROVIDE A REFERRAL OR LET THEM KNOW ABOUT SERVICES. All students can use the Sanvello app for free, which is full of skills, meditation, resources, and information. Encourage them to consider using it if they aren’t. Let them know about other resources on campus and in the community. A documented mental health issue is a disability; refer students to Disability Services for additional support and resources. Students do not have to be in the Kansas City area to use Disability Services. Refer to Counseling Services if they are exhibiting multiple signs of distress from above that cause concern. Let them know that many students go there and most services are free! (See steps 4 and 5 contact information)

Safety Concerns

• These concerns may come from a phone or video conversation or something you read in their posts or assignments. If a student posts about their mental health issues, remove those posts and let the student know why.
• Be direct when you are concerned for a student’s safety. If you think they might harm themselves or someone else, ask “have you had thoughts of suicide or killing yourself?” or “have you had thoughts of hurting or killing someone else?”. If they say they have thoughts of harm or you are concerned they might, you need to get help.
• If they mention suicide, hurting themselves, killing someone or hurting someone, even casually, take it seriously! If they are joking around, that still may mean it has been on their mind and they need help.
• If you think they are a threat to themselves or others, during BUSINESS HOURS (MON-FRI, 8-5) you can 1) walk them (don’t drive them!) to Counseling Services or 2) call Campus Police (816-235-1515). AFTER HOURS call Campus Police (816-235-1515) or use the Rave Guardian Safety App. Let the student know that you are calling someone for help if that feels safe and you think the student is willing. Don’t leave them alone.
• If a student has already acted (e.g. self injury that needs medical attention, taken an overdose, made some other suicide gesture), this is an emergency that needs immediate attention! Call Campus Police or 911.
• Do not attempt to keep a student against their will or take any action that puts you, or them, at risk.
• If they leave and you believe they are in danger, call Campus Police (816 235 1515) immediately.
• Consult with a supervisor or Counseling Services if needed. After the crisis, only share information with those who need to help the student. Check in with the student don’t avoid them or ignore what happened.

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