How to Use this Guide
This guide is intended to help UAlbany faculty and staff members support students who are experiencing distress.
You can use this guide to build your confidence in recognizing distress, talking with students, and understanding when and how to connect students with needed resources.
Click a link below to skip to that section of the page:
Helping Students in Distress
When faced with challenges, some students may feel alone, overwhelmed and hopeless. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance and daily functions.
Faculty and staff members who frequently interact with students may be the first to notice a student in distress. Sometimes students aren’t able or comfortable sharing their struggles with family and friends, but they may feel comfortable sharing with you.
By expressing concern and having a non-judgmental, empathetic conversation, you can make a difference.
If a student leaves you feeling worried, alarmed or threatened, refer to our Response Protocol for next steps.
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Talking to a student who might be considering suicide
If you are concerned about a student, it is important to ask if they are thinking about suicide. Asking about suicide does not “put the thought in their head” or encourage someone to act on these thoughts. Instead, asking gives those who are having these thoughts an opportunity to talk about their experience and get support.
Ask directly by saying something like “Are you having thoughts of ending your life?” or “Have you thought about suicide?” Be sure to stay away from judgmental or leading questions like “You’re not thinking about suicide, are you?” or “How could you think that way?”
- If someone isn’t having these thoughts, you can continue the conversation and provide support and referrals.
- If someone is having thoughts of suicide, connect them with a professional as soon as possible so they can assess and help the student.
- If someone is having thoughts of suicide and has taken action or will take action in the immediate future, get them emergency help as soon as possible.
Please review the Response Protocol for more information.
Indicators of a student in distress
The following are signs that a student may be in distress. Look for sudden change or high frequency, duration or severity of these indicators.
indicators
Academic Distress Indicators
- Sudden decline in quality of work or grades
- Repeated absences
- Missing exams or not handing in assignments
- Making multiple requests for extensions
- Including unusual content in writing or presentations
- You find yourself providing more personal than academic support
Physical Distress Indicators
- Marked changes in physical appearance, such as deterioration in grooming or hygiene
- Excessive fatigue or sleep disturbance
- Increased substance use and/or signs of intoxication in inappropriate settings
Psychological Distress Indicators
- The student discloses personal distress
- Unusual or disproportionate emotional response
- Displays of irritability or unusual apathy
- Aggressive speech such as taunting, badgering or intimidation
- Delusions and paranoia, including bizarre behavior or speech
Safety Risk Indicators
- The student communicates thoughts of suicide
- Implying or directly threatening to harm self or others
- Displays of unprovoked anger or hostility
- Physical violence, stalking or harassing
- Academic assignments dominated by themes of hopelessness, worthlessness, isolation, suicidal ideation or violent behavior
Talking with a student in distress
talk-with
Notice
Be observant and curious. If a student is struggling academically or personally, consider that they may be in need of support.
Remember that you are in a unique position to notice students experiencing distress.
Communicate
If you are concerned about a student’s mental health, talk to the them. Share what you’ve observed, using language such as “I’ve noticed that...” and “I’m concerned about you.”
Use calm, non-judgmental, and non-confrontational language.
Listen to understand.
Connect
Use your understanding of the student’s situation to determine what type of support may be needed.
The Response Protocol can help guide you to the right level of support.
Connect the student to the resource that best fits their needs. Make sure they know how to access the resource. Consider calling the office with the student or walking them through the process, if appropriate.
Responding to a student in distress
Use this Response Protocol to guide your response to a student in distress.
Ask yourself:
Is the student a danger to self or others? Do they need immediate assistance for any reason? Then, use your answers to decide what to do next:
response-protocol
Yes
If the student’s behavior is dangerous or threatening to themselves or others (including taking action to hurt themselves or others), or the student needs immediate medical attention, get emergency help.
Call the University Police Department (UPD) by dialing 911 on a campus landline or 518-442-3131 on a cell phone.
Not Sure
If the student shows signs of distress, but you’re unsure how serious it is, continue the conversation with the student to get more information and then consult with a professional on next steps.
Call Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at 518-442-5800 any time of day or night.
No
If you are not concerned for the student’s immediate safety or the safety of others, and you believe the student can wait to connect with support, please refer the student to the appropriate resource(s).
Consulting with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS’ mental health professionals are available to consult with faculty and staff at any point regarding concerns about a student.
They can talk with you about what you have been noticing and what may be the best next steps to support the student.
Call CAPS at 518-442-5800 any time of day or night:
- During clinic hours, please ask to speak to a CAPS clinician and let us know it’s urgent.
- After hours, please select Option 2 to speak with a mental health professional.
For non-urgent needs, you can call 518-442-5800 or email [email protected].
Key Resources for Students in Distress
The following are resources that may be able to help a student in distress. If you are unsure what type of resource is needed, you can always consult with CAPS.
resources
Emergency Services & 24/7 Support
emergency-resources
University Police Department (UPD)
In an emergency involving danger or threat of harm, call UPD for immediate assistance.
Why do we direct you to call campus police?
- UPD is equipped at all times to respond immediately.
- UPD can dispatch Five Quad Ambulance Service or another local emergency medical services squad if needed.
- UPD officers are trained in CPR and Narcan/Naloxone administration.
- UPD officers, including their Community Response Unit (CRU), are trained to respond to crises, including mental health crises.
- CRU officers may be able to respond accompanied by a therapy dog if appropriate.
Students who call 911 in an emergency where alcohol and/or drugs are involved are not subject to disciplinary sanctions, per the UAlbany’s Good Samaritan Policy.
To learn more about the Good Samaritan Policy, please access the Community Rights & Responsibilities, which is UAlbany's student code of conduct.
Phone: 518-442-3131 or dial 911 from a campus phone
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS mental health professionals are available to consult with students or with faculty and staff who are concerned about a student. Consultation services are offered by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CAPS also offers in-person and virtual therapy, psychiatry, and case management services.
- Phone: 518-442-5800
- Email: [email protected]
TimelyCare
TimelyCare is a virtual health platform available to all UAlbany students for physical and mental healthcare. TimelyCare services include on-demand and scheduled mental health counseling and medical care, health coaching, peer communities, self-care resources and more.
Mental health and medical consultation services are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Access TimelyCare's virtual wellness and mental health support.
Off-campus Services
- Off-campus local emergency dispatch: Call 911
- Capital District Psychiatric Center Crisis Unit & Mobile Crisis Team: 518-549-6500
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741-741
- The Trevor Project’s LGBTQ+ Lifeline: Call 866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678
- Albany County Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center (CVSVC) Sexual Assault Hotline: 518-447-7716
Additional UAlbany Health & Well-Being Resources
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Student Health Services (SHS)
SHS provides compassionate and inclusive healthcare to all UAlbany students, including general medical care, contraception, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing and referrals.
- Phone: 518-442-5229
- Email: [email protected]
Office of Health Promotion (OHP)
OHP offers survivor advocacy to those who have been impacted by sexual assault or interpersonal violence, as well as a variety of programs, health navigation, wellness coaching, recovery support, harm reduction and sexual health resources.
- Phone: 518-956-8477
- Email: [email protected]
Office of the Dean of Students (DOS)
Through Supplemental Support Services, DOS helps meet students’ basic needs, including a food and personal care pantry, a professional clothing closet, and a Student Emergency Fund.
Through Supplemental Support Services and Community Standards, DOS supports students living off campus by providing information on local food resources, SNAP and WIC screenings and safety guidance and updates.
Individuals can submit a report when they are concerned about a student, helping connect that student with appropriate campus resources and support.
- Phone: 518-442-5501
- Email: [email protected]
Middle Earth Peer Assistance Hotline
The Middle Earth Hotline offers critical peer assistance to UAlbany students, especially when the student might feel more comfortable speaking with a peer.
Middle Earth student volunteers are trained by mental health professionals to help their peers address the common concerns many college students face.
The Middle Earth Hotline is available during the fall and spring semesters.
- Phone: 518-442-5777