FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY DISTRESSED/DISTURBED STUDENTS:

1. FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITYDISTRESSED/DISTURBED STUDENTS: A Guide for Faculty and Staff Fall Semester 2008 Paul Sullivan, Ph.D., LPC

2. UNIVERSITY HEALTH AND SAFETY Majority of students are healthy and well (ACHA, 2006). College students are more likely to be victims of violent crime off campus than on-campus. In 2006, 7 murders on campuses of the total of 17,000 murders in the US (FBI, 2006). On average, 16 murders occurred on campuses annually from 1999 to 2004. (U.S. Department of Education, 2005)

3. COLLEGE STUDENT MENTAL HEALTHThe National and Local PictureFerris State University • Increasing numbers of students with mental health problems (multiple studies). • Complexity and Severity: depression and suicide, self-destructive/cutting behaviors, Aspergers, dysfunctional/fragmented family situations, odd/eccentric behaviors, personality disorders. • Staff and faculty often first to see signs and symptoms. • Traditional counseling centers have become mental health clinics.

4. BEHAVIORS OF CONCERN TERMINOLOGYDisruptive Behavior Any behavior which interrupts/disrupts the teaching-learning process. Could occur in/out of the classroom. Examples: *Threats *Harassment *Stalking *Bullying *Emotional/physical abuse *Intimidation Violence Any action/behavior perpetrated by a disturbed person against students or employees. The action or behavior may involve threatening the health or safety, the physical or psychological well-being of another person, or causing property damage. Center for Personal Protection and Safety

5. CONSIDERATIONS WITH ODD/ABERRANT BEHAVIOR If the student’s odd or aberrant behavior includes threats, those threats are more likely to be carried out if the student is: • not concerned about hiding their identity. • if the threat is made in person, and if the threat includes considerable specificity. • Risk is typically greater in situations where the student seems unconcerned about the potential consequences of their behavior.

6. CONDITIONS WHICH CAN LEAD TODISRUPTION OR VIOLENCE Personality Conflicts with various others Drug/alcohol abuse Mental health issues Other personal conflicts Grudge – real or imagined Relationship break up Financial/legal problems Significant failure/losses Center for Personal Protection and Safety

7. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OFDISRUPTIVE OR VIOLENT BEHAVIOR On-going angry or argumentative behavior. Attributing blame to others for own problems. Hypersensitivity to criticism. Failing to take responsibility for one’s own actions. Retaliation against perceived injustice. Center for Personal Protection and Safety

8. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OFDISRUPTIVE OR VIOLENT BEHAVIOR(Continued) Increasing belligerence. Ominous, specific threats. Recent acquisition/fascination with weapons. Stalking behaviors. Described as a loner in combination with other concerns. Center for Personal Protection and Safety

9. OTHER BEHAVIORS OF CONCERN Preoccupation with violence fantasies, themes Interest in recently publicized violent events. Mental health history related to past violence. Suicidal/homicidal comments or threats. Center for Personal Protection and Safety

10. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Difficult to distinguish among: obnoxious disruptive behavior; mental health problems; safety concerns. Base disruptiveness on behavior, not perceived mental problems. Have a safety plan developed with others’ assistance (Campus Police, Safety Office). Don’t go through these hoops by yourself.

11. SUICIDALITY Threatening one’s own life may not be perceived as a threat to others. Suicidal threats/gestures are a dangerous sign. Interpreted as violence directed inward but potential for other-directed violence is sometimes present.

12. SUICIDE - STATISTICS 9.3% seriously considered suicide in the past year (FSU: 11.3%). 1.3% actually attempted suicide in the past year (FSU: 1.7%). 234,000 attempts/year, 19,500/month, 642 attempts/day.

13. VIOLENT AND DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS Higher risk of violence in schools which: Tolerate or ignore inappropriate behavior Do not have open communication among faculty and staff Ignore student, faculty and staff concerns Fail to offer minimal educational programs Fail to defuse minor situations

14. FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS &PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) FERPA limits disclosure of “educational records” information. There are exceptions that permit disclosure without the student’s consent. Educational information can be shared with other “school officials” who have “legitimate educational interest”. Not a significant obstacle for faculty in protecting health and safety of student, campus, safety of others.

15. MORE ON FERPA AND FACULTY Faculty and others can disclose information, knowledge, impressions, observations about a student based on interactions, observations of disruptive, erratic, threatening behaviors. Faculty can communicate, report, meet with appropriate campus personnel, including department head, with any information of concern about a student.

16. PREVENTION IN THE CLASSROOM/DEPARTMENT Create and post a department policy on appropriate behavior. Include policy and guidelines about appropriates behavior in syllabus. Refer to campus policies – Student Code of Conduct. Note academic integrity, expectations for class conduct in the syllabus. At first sign of inappropriate behavior, remind entire class. Follow college and department policy.

17. HANDOUTS A Guide for Faculty & Staff 2008 - 2009 Ferris State University: Escalation Levels for Observed Student Behavior – How To Know When To Refer and To Whom You Should Refer. Trust Your I.N.S.T.I.N.C.T.S.: Recognizing a Potential Dangerous Situation.

18. WEB RESOURCES www.dbsalliance.org www.ulifeline.org www.nimh.nih.gov www.samhsa.gov www.nmha.org www.adaa.org www.freedomfromfear.com

19. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE 800-273-TALK (1-800 273-8255) www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

20. LOCAL RESOURCES Emergencies: 911 Campus Police 591-5000 Department Head/Chair Counseling Center 591-5968 Birkam Health Center 591-2614 Educational Career Counseling 591-3057 Dean of Student Life 591-3619 AVP Student Affairs 591-2088 Listening Ear (CMH) (989) 772-2918 or 796-5825