Resource guide

• Avoiding or isolating from others
• New or repeated behaviors that push the limits or interfere with community living
• Talking or writing in an odd, disorganized, or aggressive manner – including comments about death, suicide, or threat of harming self or others
• Frequently missed classes or assignments, or decline in grades or quality of work
• Disturbing content in writings or social media posts
• Repeatedly seeking personal advice

• Marked changes in physical appearance (e.g., poor grooming or hygiene, sudden weight gain/loss)
• Depressed or lethargic mood or functioning
• Significant changes in sleep, appetite/eating habits, mood, or concentration
• Strange or bizarre behavior indicating loss of contact with reality
• Visibly intoxicated or smelling of alcohol or marijuana
• Increase in frequency, quantity, or type of drugs/alcohol used
• Rapid speech or manic behavior
• Observable signs of injury (e.g., cuts or bruises)

• Self-disclosure of personal distress (e.g., family problems, financial difficulties, sexual violence, discrimination, legal difficulties)
• Unusual or disproportionate emotional response to events
• Excessive tearfulness or panic reactions
• Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation, threatening)
• Expressions of concern about the student by others

• Verbal, written, or implied references to suicide, violence toward others, or self-injury
• Unprovoked anger or hostility/physical violence (e.g., shoving, grabbing, use of weapon)
• Stalking or harassing others
• Communicating threats/disturbing comments via email, texting, phone calls, or social media
• Academic assignments dominated by themes of significant hopelessness, helplessness, isolation, rage, despair, violence, or self-injury

Call IU Police (812-855-4111) or 911 if you are concerned about an imminent danger to the student, you, or anyone else.

Take a few slow, deep breaths to help calm yourself and think clearly. Use a calm voice when talking and asking questions.

If this is not an imminently dangerous situation, take time to think through what might be the most helpful next step.

Ask others for help. Consult with a colleague, campus office, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), or Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS).

See #3: Refer

Make eye contact, sit with an open posture, and give your full attention. Restate what the student says to make sure you understand what is causing the distress, and to help the student feel both heard and believed.

Don’t be afraid to directly ask the student if they are having thoughts of harming themselves or others. (By asking this, you are NOT giving them the idea.) 

• A – ASK the “suicide” question
  It feels uncomfortable to ask, but it is necessary. One way to ask could be:
  “I know you’ve been going through a hard time. Sometimes when people feel down or hopeless they have thoughts about ending their life. Have you had
  any thoughts about suicide?”
• S – SEEK information; help the student tell you their situation
• K – KNOW how, when and where to refer for help

Help the student take the next step by offering to let them make a phone call with you, or walking with the student to CAPS/SACS. For example, a student is found crying in the hallway saying:

“My partner broke up with me two days ago – I can’t sleep – I can’t do anything!”

Your options for responding include:

• ASKING the student to come to a private area to further discuss the situation: “Do you want to talk about this in my room? I want to know more about what happened.”
• EXPRESSING empathy and concern for the student’s situation and telling them about CAPS services: “This sounds like a tough thing to go through and I want to help.”
• REFERRING to resources: “Talking to a counselor about this often helps. Did you know CAPS offers two free confidential appointments each semester? Or, you can drop-in for a free CAPS sleep workshop – how about trying one of those options?”

The student’s conduct is clearly dangerous or threatening, including possible self-harm or harm to others.

Call 911 or IU Police (812) 855-4111.

I am not concerned for anyone’s immediate safety, but the student is having significant academic and/or personal issues and could use some support.

Refer student to campus resources. Call CAPS/SACS at 812-855-5711 to consult if you prefer.

• The student is with me currently and shows signs of distress, but it is not clear how serious it is. I feel uneasy and/or really concerned about the student. 
  • Call CAPS/SACS at 812-855-5711 to consult. Consider submitting a CARE referral. Then, refer to appropriate campus resources.
• The student is not with me currently, but I am concerned about what they said (in an email/call/social media) or what they did (act bizarrely, were aggressive/disruptive) OR how they appeared (disheveled, as if drunk/drugged).
  • Consider submitting a CARE referral. Then, refer to appropriate campus resources.

• 911
• IU Police Department: (812) 855-4111

• CAPS Emergency Walk-in Service: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
• CAPS Crisis Telephone Line: (812) 855-5711, option 1. Available anytime CAPS is closed.
• For students, faculty/staff, and families concerned about an IU student.
  SACS Crisis Telephone Line: (812) 855-8900. Available 24 hours a day to students, faculty/staff, and families concerned about an IU student.

• Dean of Students Office: (812) 855-8187
• IU Care Referral
• Center for Human Growth: (812) 856-8302
• Substance Use Intervention Services: (812) 856-3898
• Office of Disability Services for Students: (812) 855-7578
• Office of Student Conduct: (812) 855- 5419
• Student Advocates Office: (812) 855-0761
• Office for Sexual Violence Prevention & Victim Advocacy: (812) 856-6687

• Full-time students receive two free appointments each semester
  Sessions are confidential; the only exceptions involve situations where protection against explicit harm to human life is involved or there is child or elder abuse.
• CAPS Now: Typically a student’s first appointment. Includes a 30-minute initial assessment to match student’s needs with best CAPS/SACS service(s).
• Let’s Talk Multicultural Outreach Program: Free, drop-in conversations about any topic. Located at different buildings across campus.

Sexual Assault Crisis Services

• Sessions are confidential;
• SACS counselors are NOT mandated Title IX reporters
• SACS individual and group counseling and psychiatry services are free
• Can connect student with campus services (e.g. reporting, medical, legal