Chatham Strong: Open Conversation And Connection

hbruc3 — Mon, 05 May 2025 16:43:42 +0000

Chatham Strong: Open Conversation And Connection hbruc3 Mon, 05/05/2025 - 11:43

Come connect and share in processing the recent tragedy that occurred in Chatham. This event will be an opportunity to gather as a UIS community and join in our grief. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to join in informal conversations.

Sponsored by the UIS Counseling Center and Human Development Counseling Program.

When

Tue, May 6 2025, 3:30 - 4:30pm

Location

LRH Great Room

Event Type

Employee

Faculty

Department

Counseling Center

Human Development Counseling

Mental Health Support for UIS Students

hbruc3 — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 22:01:32 +0000

Mental Health Support for UIS Students hbruc3 Wed, 02/26/2025 - 16:01

A message from UIS Counseling and Health Services

hbruc3 — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 21:45:06 +0000

A message from UIS Counseling and Health Services hbruc3 Mon, 01/27/2025 - 15:45

Mental Health Support Resources for Students

hbruc3 — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:55:12 +0000

Mental Health Support Resources for Students hbruc3 Mon, 12/09/2024 - 11:55

Master the Clock: Time Management for College Students

eewest2 — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 19:01:58 +0000

Master the Clock: Time Management for College Students eewest2 Tue, 11/26/2024 - 13:01

Things No One Talks ��ý in College: Feeling Lonely, Loan Stress and Doubting if You Can Graduate

eewest2 — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 18:42:31 +0000

Things No One Talks ��ý in College: Feeling Lonely, Loan Stress and Doubting if You Can Graduate eewest2 Fri, 11/15/2024 - 12:42

Mental Health Awareness

hbruc3 — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:57:04 +0000

Mental Health Awareness hbruc3 Wed, 10/16/2024 - 09:57

You Belong at UIS: A Guide to Finding Your Community

eewest2 — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:08:10 +0000

You Belong at UIS: A Guide to Finding Your Community eewest2 Thu, 09/12/2024 - 12:08

Drug Prevention Policy and Program Notification

hbruc3 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:50:03 +0000

Drug Prevention Policy and Program Notification hbruc3 Thu, 06/27/2024 - 12:50

Student of Concern Reference Guide

bbily01s — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:22:28 +0000

Student of Concern Reference Guide bbily01s Tue, 06/04/2024 - 16:22

Student of Concern Reference Guide

You will encounter students who are experiencing difficulties and/or may need extra support. There are several reasons why students may be struggling, including physical or mental health issues, academic pressures, increased stress, financial concerns, societal issues, and difficulty with interpersonal relationships. You have a critical role in supporting our students.

Remember U.I.S.

U- Understand the signs of a student who is struggling.
I- Inquire about the student’s well-being.
S- Support. Connect the student with the appropriate services.

Understand the signs of a struggling student

Most often students will display signs that they are struggling. Being aware of these signs, as well as how to respond, allows you to play a critical role in getting the students the help they need in a timely manner. Below is a list of indicators that may signal that a student needs support. This list is not exhaustive. You are looking for significant changes in a student’s behavior even if those behaviors are not on this list. Trust yourself and err on the side of caution.

Academic Indicators

Missed, late, or incomplete assignments
Inconsistent or deteriorating quality of work
Significant absences or tardiness
Disorganized work and/or presentation of ideas
Repeated requests of extensions
Written or verbal expression of dark, violent, or morbid thoughts
Disproportionate emotional response to coursework and/or in response to grades

Behavioral Indicators

Exhibits high levels of emotions- angry outbursts, crying, tearfulness
Demanding or dependent behavior
Nonsensical, incoherent speech*
Expression of suicidal thoughts, worthlessness, hopelessness, despair
Expression of harm to others*

Physical Indicators

Deteriorating or poor hygiene, disheveled appearance, soiled clothes
Comes to class smelling of alcohol or other drugs
Noticeably slowed or rapid speech
Appears consistently fatigued and/or falling asleep in class
Significant changes in weight
Appears confused, disoriented, or out of touch of reality
Aggressive and/or Intimidating behaviors*
Unusually animated or withdrawn
Inability to regulate mood/behavior. Unpredictable and/or rapid shifts in mood, and impulsivity
Indications of planning to die by suicide, harm to self or others*

*Call Campus Police

Inquire about the student's well-being

One of the most impactful steps is having a conversation with the student. Sometimes your initial expression of concern is all that is needed to help a student seek support. Below are some guidelines when responding to a student of concern.

Main objective is to express concern and provide the student with appropriate resources.
Stay calm and don’t leave the student alone until connected to supports.
Meet privately with the student. Be direct. Identify the behaviors and express your concerns.
Listen without judgment. Allow the student time and space in the conversation to share their thoughts.
Always take an individual’s culture into account.
Be clear when asking about thoughts of harm to self or others. “Are you considering suicide?”
Reassure the individual that they are not alone and connect them to resources.
Don’t make promises that you can’t keep. You may have reporting requirements.
Seek out consultation and supervision as needed.

Support- Refer for services

Taking a proactive approach to student well-being can help students break down stigma and increase access to services. Some examples of proactive steps would be to promote well-being and self-care, normalize mental health struggles, remind students of resources, and create a growth mindset. Even with best practices, students will still struggle.

Call Campus police if the student is at immediate risk. (*noted above)
- Refer to the counseling center and/or Dean of students
- Submit a Student of Concern form.

Many times, after the initial referral, on-going support is needed. And the student of concern form provides critical information to create a support plan for the student.

Additional Supportive Tips

Add a mental health statement to any materials (syllabus, PowerPoint slide, informational flyer, training documents) you provide to students. The mental health statement could include information on available services, how to access different campus services, how to find social events or student organizations, or ways to get involved on campus.
Encourage a growth mindset. Remind people that they have value regardless of wins or losses, failures or successes, high or low grades, many or few friends. The higher education setting is aimed to help people develop and learn and we are all on that journey together. So, before a major event, like a big game, test, or project, remind students that they are more than the outcome.
Create intentional time and space for interactions. Helping people interact with one another can increase a sense of belonging and connection on campus.
Check in with people. Ask questions about how they are doing, course or workload, any barriers or struggles they are having, or any recent worries or concerns.
Remind students to develop and use their coping skills especially during high stress times like mid-terms and finals. Encourage use of support services.

Counseling Center

Chatham Strong: Open Conversation And Connection

Mental Health Support for UIS Students

A message from UIS Counseling and Health Services

Mental Health Support Resources for Students

Master the Clock: Time Management for College Students

Things No One Talks �������ý in College: Feeling Lonely, Loan Stress and Doubting if You Can Graduate

Mental Health Awareness

You Belong at UIS: A Guide to Finding Your Community

Drug Prevention Policy and Program Notification

Student of Concern Reference Guide

Student of Concern Reference Guide

Understand the signs of a struggling student

Academic Indicators

Behavioral Indicators

Physical Indicators

Inquire about the student's well-being

Support- Refer for services

Additional Supportive Tips

Things No One Talks ��ý in College: Feeling Lonely, Loan Stress and Doubting if You Can Graduate