Red Folder Guide

Recognize

Look for groupings, frequency, and severity of behaviors, not just isolated symptoms.

Academics

• Sudden decline in quality of work and grades

• Frequently missed classes and assignments

• Disturbing content in writing or presentations

• Classroom disruptions

• Consistently seeking personal rather than professional advice

• Multiple requests for extensions/special considerations (a change from prior functioning)

• Doesn’t respond to repeated requests for contact/meetings

Physical

• Marked changes in physical appearance (e.g., poor grooming/hygiene or sudden weight loss/gain)

• Strange or bizarre behavior indicating loss of contact with reality

• Visibly intoxicated or smelling of alcohol or marijuana

• Rapid speech or manic behavior

• Depressed or lethargic mood or functioning

• Observable signs of injury (e.g., facial bruising or cuts)

Psychological

• Self-disclosure of personal distress (e.g., family problems, financial difficulties, assault, discrimination, legal difficulties)

• Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events

• Excessive tearfulness, panic reactions

• Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)

• Expressions of concern about the student by peers

Safety risk

• Verbal, written, or implied references to suicide, homicide, assault or self-injurious behaviors

• Unprovoked anger or hostility/physical violence (e.g., shoving, grabbing, assaulting, use of weapon)

• Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, helplessness, isolation, rage, despair, violence, self-injury

• Stalking or harassing

• Communicating threats/disturbing comments via email, correspondence, texting or phone call

Respond

Use these tips to determine the most appropriate response for a distressed student.

Mandatory reporting: In addition to referring a student to resources, any sexual or gender-based harassment or assault requires mandated reporting. For questions regarding mandated reporting, please contact the Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response at 814-867-0099.

Stay safe

Call Penn State Police or 911 if there is an imminent danger to the student, you, or anyone else

Stay calm

Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself. Use a calm voice when talking and asking questions.

Take your time

If this is not an imminently dangerous situation, take time to think through what might be the most helpful step.

Seek consultation

You are not alone. Ask those around you for help. Consult with a colleague, call another office on campus (see resources)

Use active listening

Make eye contact, give your full attention. Restate what the student says to make sure you understand what is causing the distress and/or what they are asking for help with.

Ask direct questions

Don’t be afraid to directly ask the student if they are having thoughts of harming themselves or others (by asking, you are not instilling the thought).

Give concrete help

Help get them to the next step (e.g., contact the academic advisor with the student to make an appointment; help them call counseling services to schedule an appointment).

Refer

Follow the steps below to determine who to contact when you are concerned about a student who is distressed and/or disruptive. Emergency and campus resources are listed.

If the student's conduct is clearly dangerous or threatening, including self-harm or harm to others: Call 911 or Penn State Police at 717-531-8888.

If you are not concerned for anyone's immediate safety, but the student is having significant academic and/or personal issues and could use some support: Refer the student to campus resources as appropriate.

If the student is with you currently and shows signs of distress, but it is not clear how serious it is: Call the Office for Professional Mental Health or the Penn State Crisis Line at 877-229-6400. Then, refer the student to appropriate campus resources.

If the student is not with you but you're concerned about what they said OR what they did (acted bizarrely, aggressive or disruptive) OR how they looked (unkempt, unwashed, or drugged/drunk): Report to Campus Safety and Security 717-531-8711 or the Behavioral Threat Management Team.