Students of Concern
If you have observed a USCB student exhibiting the following behaviors, please refer them to the Students of Concern Committee:
Threat to Safety and Wellbeing – Immediate Threats to Life
- Talk of, or concern that a student may harm themselves.
- Severely erratic behavior that disrupts normal proceedings of University students, faculty, or staff such as: threats of weapon on campus, significant inappropriate disruption to community, potential for safety being compromised.
FOR ALL CAMPUS EMERGENCIES:
In the event that your safety or that of others is threatened
CALL 8911 – Campus phone
843-208-8911- from Non-Campus Phone
Purpose of the Students of Concern Committee
At USCB, we want to create a Community of Caring in which the university community demonstrates concern for the well-being of others. With this goal in mind, we have created a ‘Students of Concern’ committee with the purpose of promoting the safety, security, and success of our students. We’re asking the university community for assistance in identification of students experiencing serious difficulties which may be threatening to the safety and security of themselves or others or threatening their personal and academic success. Such students can be referred to the ‘Students of Concern’ committee for further assessment and support services.
Refer a student exhibiting the following behaviors:
Threat to Personal and Academic Development
- Student is regularly not attending classes
- Student is isolating self, exhibiting signs of depression and/or anxiety
- Marked change in behavior or academic performance
Emergency Contacts & Resources
- University Emergency 843 - 208-8911
- Department of Public Safety 843 - 208-8912
- University Counselor (Weekdays 8:30 – 5pm) 843 - 208-8264
- University Housing (Weekdays 8:30 – 5pm) 843 - 208-8722
- Coastal Carolina Hospital - Local 843 - 784-8000
- Beaufort Memorial Hospital- Local 843 - 522-5269
- Hilton Head Regional Hospital - Local 843 - 681-6122
- 24-Hour Mental Health CRISIS INTERVENTION - Local 1 - 800 - 922-7844
- Hope Haven of the Lowcountry – (Sexual Assault) -Local 843 - 524-2256
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1 - 800 - 784-2433
- 1 - 800 - 273-8255
- National Sexual Assault Hotline 1 - 800 - 656-HOPE
How to talk with someone in Emotional Distress:
Show you care, connect on a feeling level, listen.
- “I’m concerned about you and noticed you haven’t been sleeping, eating, going to class, etc.”
- “How are you feeling?”
- Reflect back their feelings and paraphrase: “What I hear you say is that you are in a great deal of pain and feel hopeless.”
- “I’m glad you called.”
- Listen with respect. Individuals in distress want understanding and care.
Ask about suicide directly
- “Sometimes when people feel sad, they have thoughts of killing themselves. Have you had such thoughts?”
- “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
- “Have you considered suicide?” “How would you go about it?” “When would you do that?”
- Remember, asking about suicide does NOT put the idea in people’s minds.
Get help. Explore options. Offer resources.
- “What would help now?” ”Who can, who usually helps?” “How can I help?”
- Get assistance. Avoid trying to be the only lifeline for this person. Seek out resources even if it means breaking a confidence.
- “How would you feel about seeing the Campus counselor? Let’s call right now. I’ll walk over with you to see the counselor.”
- USCB counselor: Barbara Beam
843-208-8264
Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm
Library – Room 205
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK
- After hours Local Mental Health Crisis Intervention: 1-800-922-7844
- Call 843-208-8911 if this is a University EMERGENCY.
What Not To Do
- Do not promise to keep the person’s thoughts of suicide a secret.
- Do not leave the person alone.
- Do not offer simple solutions.
- Do not judge or tell the person they will go to hell.
- Do not suggest drugs or alcohol as a solution.
