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• More exaggerated or erratic than normal (i.e. extremely withdrawn, agitated, or animated)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