Mental Health First Responders – On-Demand Training

Train Faculty & Staff to Identify At-Risk Students

The state of students’ mental health continues to weigh heavily on the minds of faculty, staff, and administrators. Their frequent interaction with students also puts them in an ideal position to observe changes in students’ behavior, physical and emotional presentation, and academic performance. This “ideal position” allows for faculty and staff to engage in early intervention and referral to ensure student safety and success.

What are the warning signs of distress?
How do you initiate a conversation with students when you are concerned?

Our expert presenter offers crucial, actionable takeaways on recognizing warning signs of distress and concerning behaviors when teaching either in person or online, heightened risk factors during COVID-19, and practical suggestions and tangible examples of how to initiate conversations with students of concern.

Give your faculty and staff members the confidence and tools they need, including what they should and should not do when they identify an at-risk student, pursuant to campus policies and procedures.

Topics Covered

We will offer crucial, actionable takeaways that will help participants:

• Connect with students confidently and overcome the fear of “saying the wrong thing” – ensure that no students in distress fall through the cracks.
• Recognize the warning signs of mental health issues – identify concerning behaviors that are still recognizable in the classroom, virtual classroom or in co-curricular settings, so faculty and staff can encourage students who need help to seek out appropriate resources without escalating a situation.
• Identify the various types of traumas that students can experience and their impact on their physical and cognitive abilities — understand these components to be able to effectively assist and intervene using core tenants of trauma-informed care to help students remain engaged in the learning community and persist to graduation.
• Become familiar with the resources available on campus – reassure faculty and staff that they are not alone and know how – and to whom – to conduct referrals for students in crisis.
• Gain valuable knowledge regarding a “two-prong approach” to intervening with students who exhibit distress and suicidality – ensure that frontline personnel are trained, experienced and confident to provide the essential support to their students.
• Recognize the changing profile of college students who have experienced trauma and its impact on their mental health — have clear communication policies in place to report any concern and de-escalate a situation before it becomes a full-blown crisis.

Presenter

Dr. Meggen Tucker Sixbey is a Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Director of the University of Florida’s (UF) Counseling and Wellness Center. She is one of 12 Clinical-Law Enforcement learning site partners who were selected by the Bureau of Justice Administration’s Council for State Governments to provide content expertise and training to law enforcement around the country.
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