A Resource Guide for Faculty, Teaching Assistants, Medical Practitioners, and Professional Staff
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Distressed Students Response Protocol



UCSB is committed to providing a quality learning environment. Faculty, TAs and staff will often be the first to encounter a student who is in distress. Encouraging and helping the student to seek assistance with the appropriate campus and community resources are key. UCSB has multiple professionals poised to respond to distressed students. These staff members include social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and a coordinator of student mental health services. The coordinator of student mental health services is a readily accessible single point of contact for staff, faculty and students who are concerned about a distressed student and do not know which office to contact. The coordinator will consult about a student, provide referrals to campus departments, develop action plans, and follow up with students, staff and faculty as appropriate.

REFERRAL IDENTIFIERS:

Student distress may manifest in behavior or in the reaction the behavior elicits in others. If you notice any of the following behaviors, the Distressed Student Protocol will assist you in responding to the student and providing appropriate referrals.

Student Behaviors Staff / Faculty Reactions to Student’s Behavior
  • Behavioral or emotional change
  • Withdrawal
  • Change in hygiene or appearance
  • Decline in academic performance
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Excessive or inappropriate anger
  • Bizarre thoughts or behavior
  • Feeling uncomfortable about student’s comments or behavior
  • Concern about student’s ability to function
  • Feeling alarmed or frightened

DISTRESSED STUDENTS PROTOCOL



Is there danger to self or others?

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Yes  No or not sure, but I am concerned  No, but student is having academic or personal issues
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  1. Call 9-911
  2. Call Coordinator of Student Mental Health Services, Angela Andrade 893-8920
  Call Coordinator of Student Mental
Health Services,
Angela Andrade,
893-8920

Or

Campus Social Work Services,
Burt Romotsky or Katie Eklund,
893-3087 		  Refer student to appropriate campus support services:
  • Counseling Services, 893-4411
  • Campus Social Work Services, 893-3087
  • Office of Student Life, 893-4550
  • Office of the Ombuds, 893-3285
  • Office of Judicial Affairs, 893-4569
  • Women’s Center, 893-3778
  • Disabled Students Program, 893-2668
  • College or dept. academic advisor

For expanded descriptions of student services, refer to pages 6 and 19 of Responding to Distressed Student Guide

Support for faculty and staff after working with a distressed student: Academic and Staff Assistance Program, Human Resources 893-3318
 
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Sponsored by UCSB Counseling Services, Career Services, The Office of Student Life, and Student Health Service