HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND SHARE CONCERNING BEHAVIOR
MARYANN RAYBUCK, LCSWNOVACARES OFFICE
IS IT JUST STRESS?
When is it more than stress and becomes concerning behavior?• Are you seeing a marked deterioration in the
individual’s academic performance?• Have you begun to worry about the individual’s
emotional state of mind?• Do you have concerns about the individual’s safety
or the safety of others?• Does the behavior cause you to worry or to feel
distress?
BEHAVIORAL & EMOTIONAL INDICATORS
• Direct statements indicating distress or loss
• Emotional outbursts that are disruptive to the learning environment
• More exaggerated or erratic than normal (i.e. extremely withdrawn, agitated, or animated)
• Excessively demanding or dependent behavior
• Aggressiveness (i.e. resentful, hostile, frustrated)
• Extreme sensitivity, or anxiety; inability to cope, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Physical Indicators
• Visible changes in weight• Deterioration in physical
appearance/ personal hygiene• Noticeable cuts, bruises, or burns• Confusion; disorganized speech;
excessive fatigue• Shakiness, tremors, pacing
CONCERNING COMMUNICATIONS
• Inappropriate/disturbing verbal or written communications .• Communication suggesting delusion,
obsession, or a preoccupation with weapons or violence.• Language suggesting abuse/ suicide
ideation/ coercion/ or desperation.
The Power of You
Staff & Faculty are frequently in the best position to notice and report student behavior.
Reporting low level concerns allows for intervention before a behavior becomes more
serious
Your reports allow for early intervention which is critically important in student retention and in
keeping the college safe.
EMERGENCIES
When an individual
• Is expressing a direct threat to themselves or others,
• is acting in a bizarre and disconnected manner,
• Or becomes highly agitated and irrational,
TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY
AND
CALL CAMPUS POLICE!
NOVACARES
• Please report your concerns on the NOVACares website.
• Reports may be filed anonymously• Concerns about distressed students are
forwarded to your campus CARE team.• Your report enables NOVA to assess risk
and flags individuals with multiple reports across multiple campuses.
NOVACARES Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation
CAMPUS CARE TEAMS
• A CARE team on every campus.• Responds to the concerns of faculty, staff and
student • Assesses risk level• Develops and oversees the implementation of a
response plan• CARE Team Members: Coordinator of
Counseling (chair), Police, Student Services, Faculty, and Staff
WHY REPORT?
• Prevents silos of information within departments and/or campuses.
• Increases the safety of our College.
• Encourages a way to consistently respond to individuals of concern.
• Allows us to identify individuals in need who might otherwise be overlooked.
NOVACares Website
• File a NOVACares report• Find referrals to social service agencies and
community resources• Faculty resources including “Recognizing and
Responding to Students In Distress : A Faculty Handbook”.
• Obtain information on sexual assault services including a Students’ Bill of Rights.
NOVA Resources
• NOVA SAS: Free & Confidential assistance for sexual assault, partner violence , stalking• ACCESS HOPE: Free or Low cost counseling • WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAM:
Assistance for Veterans, Spouses and Dependents.
YOU ARE THE EYES AND EARS OF NOVA’S MENTAL HEALTH
SHARE YOUR CONCERNS