For Faculty and Staff: Support Student Wellness
These guidelines are intended to assist NLU faculty, staff, administrators, and other employees in addressing student-related crises. While some campus officials play more active roles in responding to student crises, it is vital for all University faculty and staff to have a working knowledge of these guidelines. We hope these materials will be valuable resources as we all work to be more effective communicators and create this trauma informed/responsive university.
Suicide Response Protocol - English
SUICIDIO PREVENCIÓN+RESPUESTA EN ESPAÑOL
NLU DAAPP Information 2024 (Drug Abuse & Alcohol Prevention Program)
Mental health has increasingly become a notable factor in student success. This talk focuses on the need for schools and educators to have a proactive stance in supporting student emotional well being so academic and personal achievement is possible.
Watch a keynote presentation from Dr. Janine Jones, a Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Education at the University of Washington, at a REL West Central Valley Rural Education and Health Alliance event. Dr. Jones’ research focuses on providing culturally responsive interventions in schools, including the integration of cultural factors that are associated with resilience in racially diverse youth.
Want us to come into your classroom, schedule a presentation: Click Here
As a faculty or staff member, your position gives you an opportunity to directly refer a student to a mental health professional or mental health services that can help. Your interactions with students puts you in a unique position to notice if they are experiencing signs of distress or if a more serious mental health problem may be developing. Students may even come to you when their mental health issues are interfering with their academics. This section can guide you to be prepared for those situations and act as a resource if those situations do come up.
Identifying a Problem
Mental health conditions are hard to identify. They are easier to hide than physical conditions. In your role, signs that you may recognize are changes in grade performance, excessive absences, changes in interactions, or changes in personal dress or hygiene. It can be difficult at times to tell whether a student’s behavior is indicative of a more serious problem, or to know what action to take to help the student.
Creating a Safe, Accommodating, Inclusive space
To create a classroom or space that is inclusive of students with mental illness:
- Be mindful that students with mental illnesses may need to take more frequent breaks
- Allow students to have food and drinks in class. This can help students with mental illnesses counter the side effects of their medication
- Provide testing accommodations such as extended time or a distraction-free testing environment
- Make yourself available to consult with students during regular office hours and through contact by email
- Demonstrate flexibility and fairness in administering policies and assignments
- Approach each student with an open mind about their strengths and abilities
- Clearly delineate expectations for performance
- Deliver feedback on performance, both positive and corrective, in a timely and constructive fashion
Academic Difficulty
It is sometimes assumed that students will seek help when they are struggling with a class. But for a number of reasons, students do not always feel comfortable asking for help. The following examples illustrate how to maintain high but realistic expectations for all students:
- If a student earns a C or lower, inform the student of the need for a meeting to discuss their performance.
- If a student is absent, show concern about their absence when they return by asking if things are okay.
- If there are repeated absences, request a meeting with the student to discuss the situation.
Optional Add to Syllabus Statement:
-
As a student, you may encounter various situations or obstacles that can impact both your learning and personal well-being. These challenges could range from strained relationships and stress to unstable housing situations, hunger, substance abuse issues, feeling low, or a lack of motivation. NLU offers a range of resources to support you through these difficulties. You can access free and confidential mental health and wellness services by reaching out to the Counseling & Wellness Center at counseling@nl.edu or visiting nl.edu/wellness. Additionally, assistance for personal challenges such as food and housing instability is available through the NLU Thrive Center. You can contact them at thrivecenter@nl.edu. Remember, support is always within reach.
