These are the behaviors that leave us feeling frightened and in fear for our personal safety or the safety of others.
- Suicidal
- Para suicidal (self-injurious)
- Individuals engaging in risk-taking behaviors (e.g., substance abusing).
- Hostile, aggressive, relationally abusive.
- Individuals deficient in skills that regulate emotion, cognition, self, behavior, and relationships.
What can you do?
- If you are concerned there is an immediate threat to either the student or others call Public Safety.
- Consult with Counseling Services if there is no imminent danger.
- Keep yourself safe.
- Keep your communications with the student simple and avoid information overload.
- Talk slowly.
- Try to be ok with silences as it may help them feel less agitated if you are calmly listening.
- Maintain eye contact.
- Tell the student you think there is someone who can assist them better than you can and call Counseling Services or walk the student over to make an appointment possibly see a counselor immediately.
- If the student poses an immediate danger to others you may want to dismiss the class while waiting for Public Safety.
What should you not do?
- Don’t ignore warning signs that the student is about to lose control of their emotions.
- Don’t threaten, dare or touch the student.
- If a student seems delusional don’t try and talk him or her out of their beliefs.
- Don’t wait before taking action.
- Don’t try to keep a student from leaving the classroom.
- Don’t panic.
