The Care Team

Care Team Tips

Check out this tips from the Care Team of ways to help students and yourself!

Quick Guide

Brandeis Care Team: A Quick Guide For Responding to Student Concerns Follow the chart below to best determine who to contact when faces with a student who is distressed, disruptive, or otherwise concerning. Is the student in immediate danger? - YES (The student’s behavior, comments, or situation clearly indicate imminent danger or threat to themself or others.) -> Contact Emergency Support. If on campus: Call Public Safety at 781-736-3333. If off campus: Call 911. - UNSURE (There is a possibility of risk to self or others, and/or the student needs same day support to ensure de-escalation.) -> Contact Urgent Support. Call the Brandeis Counseling Center at 781-736-3730 (available 24/7) or, if during business hours, accompany the student to their office at the Mailman House. Submit an I Care Form afterwards. - NO (Student needs additional support or resources, but there are no concerns for immediate safety or wellbeing.) Contact Routine Support. Encourage the student to consider contacting the Brandeis Counseling Center, Academic Services, or other resources. Submit an I Care Form.
Brandeis Care Team: Additional Guidelines for Referring a Student Indicators for Emergency Support: Direct threats of violence (including online/on social media). Expressed specific plan or intent to harm self/others. Has access to or is seeking lethal means to harm self/others. Situation feels threatening or dangerous to self/others. Indicators for Urgent Support: Suicidal thoughts without direct intent or plan (e.g. “sometimes I think I’d be better off dead”). Severe hopelessness, despair, or isolation. Report or signs of self-harm (e.g. cutting, burning). Indicators for Routine Support: Any student distress or behavioral concerns that can wait at least 24 hours for response.
Brandeis Care Team: Tips for Supporting Students in Distress DO: Speak to the student privately and express your concern and care. Tell them specifically what you observed that is concerning. Ask the student how they are doing. Let them know you are there to listen and connect them to support. If you refer a student to Care, you can inform them of the referral to help set expectations (though you do not have to do this). Example phrasing: “Recently I have noticed ___ which has made me concerned for you. I want to make sure you have support and resources to be successful personally and in school, and so I will be reaching out to our Care Team. You may get outreach from a member of that team to have a conversation about how they can help you.” DON'T: Don’t promise confidentiality. You may need to report an incident or decide to submit an I Care Form. Example phrasing to use instead: “Your privacy is important to me, but there are certain situations in which I may need to share information with a campus partner to protect your safety or responsibly report a concern about harassment, discrimination, or sexual violence.” Don’t wait to refer if you are concerned about a student. Don’t leave the student alone if you think they are a risk to themself.