Supporting Student Mental Health
Often, faculty are the first to recognize that a student may be struggling with mental health concerns. Luckily, you do not have to be a mental health professional to support a student. Please review The Jed Foundation’s Faculty Guide to Supporting Student Mental Health to learn more about creating a culture of care at High Point University.
How to Recognize a Student Who is Struggling (Jed Foundation)
- Missed assignments
- Repeated absences
- Decline in academic performance
- Reduced participation in class
- Excessive fatigue
- Poor personal hygiene
- Inappropriate or exaggerated behavior
- Alarming or worrisome content in assignments
How to Approach a Struggling Student
- Find a private place to speak with the student.
- Describe what you have observed that makes you concerned about the student.
- Ask open-ended questions about how the student is doing.
- Use active listening to better understand the student’s experience.
- Share campus, local, and national resources with the student. It can be helpful to be acquainted with different High Point University support options (The Office of Counseling Services, The Office of Student Life, Student Health/Novant, High Point University Campus Police and Security, Religious Life, Title IX, etc.).
What Should You Do if a Student is Experiencing a Mental Health Emergency?
Students may disclose to faculty that they are experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts. These statements should be taken very seriously and HPU Campus Police and Security should be contacted immediately at (336)841-9111. Read more about Mental Health Emergencies here.
What Should You Do if a Student is Experiencing Mental Health Concerns?
Faculty may choose to submit a CARE Alert directly to the CARE Team in the Office of Student Life to report any concerns they have regarding a student’s wellbeing. These referrals should NOT be used for mental health emergencies. A member of the Care Team will review all reports and follow up with the student accordingly.