Faculty resources đź“ť
Ways to support 🫶🏽 your students everyday
This digital “guide” is here to support faculty and staff who are concerned about a student’s wellbeing.
Here is a quick and clear overview of our campus referral pathways, tips for how to talk to a student in distress, and outlines professional responsibilities to keep in mind.
How you can support students who are…
🚨 In Crisis
A state of unbearable suffering that needs immediate help
Exhaustion, isolation, shame, absent, insomnia, negative self-image and difficulty with basic hygiene
It is time to get professional help. Things have become so difficult that this student needs help right away. When students are in a state of crisis, you are responsible for seeking immediate assistance:
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- The University Counseling Center: Crisis appointments and walk-ins available
- For Students Living on Campus: Mental Health First Responders are available for after-hours support (4pm-2am)
- Campus Police: welfare checks, courtesy escorts, and safety assessments
- University Hospital Emergency Room: open 24/7 for medical emergencies
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- Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT): Trained crisis outreach team that can come to the student in many areas throughout the state. The team arrives in unmarked vehicles to support your privacy.
- For Students Outside of Utah (TELUS): Immediate confidential 24hr support available year-round
- Mental Health Crisis Care Center:  24/7 walk-in care for any adult experiencing a mental health crisis.
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- SafeUT:  Counselors are available 24/7 to talk the student through whatever problem they facing. You can also submit a tip to report a safety concern.
- TELUS: 24/7 virtual support for students. Available for crisis and/or on-going services at no cost.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Connects to the Utah Crisis Line, staffed by certified crisis workers at HMHI. Confidential, no-cost, and available 24/7/365, for those experiencing mental health, substance use, or suicidal crises.
- Warm Line:  Available 8 AM – 11 PM, 7 days a week if a student just wants to talk to someone.
⚠️ Struggling
A troubled state where it is important to seek support
Numb, empty, distracted, tired, negative self-talk, difficulty with basic habits like sleep and nutrition
This student isn’t doing well and needs additional support to feel better. When students are in a “struggling” state, you are responsible for making a quick same-day connection and facilitating a warm handoff with one of the following groups:
- The University Counseling Center
- Initial consultation: (M-F 8am-5pm) 25-50 minute virtual consultation
- Single session:Â free, brief, one-time, and on-demand sessions offered in-person and virtually
- Therapy groups: Group sessions facilitated by a counselor
- Dean of Students Office Case Management: Assistance navigating all of the resources at the University of Utah
- After facilitating a warm handoff with a campus resource, remember to follow-up and ensure they are actively in contact with support for their need
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- Direct introduction from faculty to provider: In real-time, introduce the student to the care provider in person so they can interact directly and reduce the barriers of the referral process. Highlight key contact information.
- Provide documentation of warm handoff: Send an email following the meet and greet recapping the needs of the student and pertinent details for the student and care team member to reference
- Include values and next steps: What is important to the student? Is there a timeline to consider? What next steps need to be taken? Specify these in your conversation and documentation
- Provide an opportunity for all to question, clarify, and confirm information
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- Speak with the student directly and in a comfortable, safe setting
- Be specific about the behavior you have observed and don’t be afraid to express concern. Use objective, non-judgmental language.
- “I noticed…”
- “I’m concerned about…”
- “I’d like to connect you…”Be specific about the behavior you have observed and don’t be afraid to express concern. Use objective, non-judgmental language.
- State the behavior you have noticed followed by a question: “I know that some difficult things have happened recently, I’m concerned about how you’re feeling.”
- “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed down recently. I’m worried that you aren’t acting like yourself. What’s on your mind?”
- “I’m concerned that you have missed several classes – tell me how the semester is going?”
- If you observe warning signs of suicide, ask the student directly, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
- If the answer is “yes,” remain calm, express care and concern, and connect them to a resource. Reassure them by saying, “This is really brave of you to share, and I want you to know I’m here for you. I do need to connect you with someone on campus who can help you through this.” Next, get immediate assistance.
- Try to offer emotional support. Remember emotional support does not mean stepping in to handle the situation. Telling your student that you care and that you are worried is the first step. Next comes immediate referral to care on campus from one of the resources above.
- Facilitate a warm handoff to establish clear and comfortable messaging that describes the referral process and our team approach.
- “It sounds like you are experiencing a lot of stress right now. One of my team members works with …. And could even help you identify a first step you can take today. I can introduce you right now, if that would be alright.”
- “I’d like to set you up to meet a provider from the Student Health and Wellness offices I work with. We are lucky to have them because it allows us to provide you with better care. Would it be alright if I reached out to them?”
🌱 Surviving
An unsettled mind that may feel on edge or restless
Worried, nervous, irritable, sad, trouble sleeping, distracted, withdrawn
While things may be generally okay, this student is starting to struggle. When students are in a “surviving” state, it’s important to initiate a conversation about how to get support.
- Remind students to take care of their basic needs and that the The Basic Needs Collective can provide support
- Share that Wellness Coaches can help students take action to improve their habits (i.e. stress management, healthy eating, study skills, sleep routine, taking social media breaks, and more!)
- Encourage students to reach out to and talk with a Peer Wellbeing Navigator
- Show students how to get to the Wellness Hub at Student Services Building Suite 350
- Mention that the University offers several no-cost options for therapy, medical care, disability accommodations, financial counseling, and other wellness services
- After referring a student to a campus resource, remember to follow-up and ensure they are actively in getting support after your initial contact
🙌🏽 Thriving
A healthy baseline with normal functions & behaviors
Positive, calm, sleeping well, routine eating, consistent work and social patterns
- Update your syllabi to include Student Health and Wellness information
- Create an easily accessible module on your Canvas courses that includes Student Health and Wellness information (i.e. our resource hub, contact us page)
- Highlight Student Health and Wellness events on your course calendar and/or offer extra credit for attendance at your discretion
- Facilitate a mindfulness or breathing exercise at the beginning of class sessions to model the benefits of presence and reflection
🚀 Excelling
Peak function and performing at fullest potential
Cheerful, flow, high performance, energetic & joyful
- Update your syllabi to include Student Health and Wellness information
- Create an easily accessible module on your Canvas courses that includes Student Health and Wellness information (i.e. our resource hub, contact us page)
- Consider incorporating references to Student Health and Wellness information into your curriculum (i.e. lecture examples, slideshows, assignments, discussions) when applicable and/or offer extra credit for attendance at Student Health and Wellness events
- Encourage students who model balance and wellbeing in your classrooms to apply to become student leaders and help build a culture of wellness on campus
đź““ Training & consultation
We offer outreach presentations and support to our campus community often, as we know early intervention and improving awareness can save lives.
If you are interested in hosting a presentation or a workshop by a member of our team, please email us at wellnessattheu@utah.edu and our team will be in contact with you shortly. Please share the basic details including preferred dates, times, and expected number of participants, and our team will try to accommodate your request. Advance notice is appreciated.
Topics offered
- Responding to student distress
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
- Suicide prevention (question, persuade, refer)
- The trauma-informed classroom
- Compassionate responses to disclosures of violence, harm, or abuse