As students, you may know, hear, or see things that faculty and staff may not. With this perspective, it is important that you reach out to the Office of Student Life if you have concerns about a peer. Reference the information below for resources to help you identify and support someone in need.
How to Recognize Someone in Distress:
- Significant deterioration in quality or quantity of work
- Repeated absences
- Missed assignments, exams, or appointments
- Written or artistic expression of unusual violence, social isolation, despair or preoccupation with suicide or death
- Repeated requests for special accommodations, e.g., paper extensions, make-up exams, etc.
- Patterns of perfectionism. e.g., the inability to accept any grade but an A
- Overblown or disproportionate response to grades or other evaluations
- Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or loss
- Angry or hostile outbursts, yelling, or aggressive comments
- Withdrawn from others, low motivation
- Excessively demanding or dependent behavior
- Failure to respond to outreach by friends, family, or administrators after expressed concern
- Shakiness, tremors, fidgeting, or pacing
- More animated than usual, euphoria, overly enthusiastic
- Paranoid, excessively vigilant, fear that others are going to cause harm
- Extreme disorganization or erratic performance
- Deterioration in physical appearance or personal hygiene
- Excessive fatigue, exhaustion, falling asleep in class
- Visible changes in weight, statements about change in appetite or sleep
- Noticeable cuts, bruises, or burns
- Frequent or chronic illness
- Disorganized, rapid or slurred speech, confusion
- Unusual inability to make eye contact
- Coming to activities bleary or red-eyed or smelling of alcohol or marijuana
How to Help Someone in Distress:
When in doubt, let someone know that you're worried about your peer. If someone you know may be struggling with personal, emotional, or academic difficulties, the most direct way to get them support is to submit an online Student of Concern Referral Form. Upon retrieval, a member of the Office of Student Life will then reach out to the student to offer support and resources. Reports can be made anonymously.
If you're aware of a specific issue that you think is important for the Office of Student Life to be aware of, please submit the appropriate reporting form listed on this page.
For more immediate concerns, please reference the contact listing below:
|
If a Student . . . |
Contact . . . |
|
is in possession of a weapon |
Campus Safety at 408-554-4444 or 911 |
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is an imminent harm to self or others |
Campus Safety at 408-554-4444 or 911 |
|
is a potential harm to self or others |
Cowell Center at 408-554-4501 and Office of Student Life at 408-554-4583 |
|
is a victim of recent violence, abuse, or sexual violence |
Cowell Center at 408-554-4501 or Wellness Center at 408-554-4409 or Title IX at 408-551-3043 |
|
has been a victim of past violence or abuse |
Cowell Center at 408-554-4501 or Wellness Center at 408-554-4409 or Title IX at 408-551-3043 |
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is experiencing psychological distress impairing the ability to learn effectively |
Cowell Center at 408-554-4501 |
|
is verbally or emotionally abusive |
Cowell Center at 408-554-4501 or Office of Student Life at 408-554-4583 |
|
is engaging in conduct contrary to that in the Student Handbook |
Office of Student Life at 408-554-4583 |
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has engaged in academic dishonesty |
Office of Student Life at 408-554-4583 |
|
is having difficulty managing academic load or stress |
Drahmann Center at 408-554-4318 |
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is experiencing family or personal crisis or loss and needs to miss classes |
Office of Student Life at 408-554-4583 |
|
is suspected of alcohol or drug use interfering with academic effectiveness |
Cowell Center at 408-554-4501 or Wellness Center at 408-554-4409 |
|
is having financial difficulties |
Financial Aid at 408-551-1000 |
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is a victim of bias, harassment, or discrimination |
Office of Student Life at 4583 and Title IX at 408-551-3043 |
For additional resources, click here.
SCU Offices that can help:
- Campus Ministry
- Campus Safety
- Cowell Center & CAPS
- Drahmann Advising & Learning Resources Center
- Office for Multicultural Learning
- Office of Accessible Education (formerly Disabilities Resource Center)
- Office of Student Life
- On-Campus Living & Off-Campus Living
- Rainbow Resource Center
- Title IX
- Wellness Center
Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized training program that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health concerns and substance use. The training provides the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support while helping to identify other longer-term solutions if needed.
Mental Health First Aid trainings are FREE for all faculty, staff, and students and come with a 3-year certification.
