Share information about campus mental health resources with your students

A new semester is nearly upon us and our students are poised to return to campus. As you know and have experienced in your classrooms, the levels of distress that students feel can escalate to levels that impair their academics as well as their health and safety. With this email we are hoping to provide assistance and invite ongoing dialogue on the topic of student mental health and well-being.

• Below are examples of syllabus content options for your consideration. The first statement includes comments on the need for students to overcome obstacles on their way to academic success. The second is referral information for mental health services so that we can be sure students know the resources available to them.
• There may be many reasons you could have concerns about a student. Campus resources are available to assist you in your efforts to support and appropriately refer students. 
• If imminent risk of harm to self or others is suspected, please call Public Safety (x2515) or 911.
• Threatening, disruptive, or aggressive behavior that does not pose imminent risk, please contact the office of the Dean of Students: 208-282-2794 or, if after hours, Public Safety (x2515).
• If you are concerned about a student because you've noticed something: change in performance, increasingly distracted, appearing sad or stressed, signs of self-harm (e.g. cuts/burns), talk of suicide or losing hope, etc, please refer them to the Counseling and Testing Service (contact information in the attachment) and contact the office of the Dean of Students to activate support resources.
• Counseling and Testing Service offers several training options for faculty and staff to learn more about student mental health, recognizing warning signs of student distress, and options for referral. Please contact our offices (contact information in the attachment) to learn more. In addition, we would like to visit you at faculty or divisional meetings to share information and answer questions. 

 

Content options for faculty syllabi

Statement on Success

Success in this course depends heavily on your personal health and wellbeing. Recognize that stress is an expected part of the college experience, and it often can be compounded by unexpected setbacks or life changes outside the classroom. I encourage you to reframe challenges as an unavoidable pathway to success. Reflect on your role in taking care of yourself throughout the term, before the demands of exams and projects reach their peak. Please feel free to reach out to me about any difficulty you may be having that may impact your performance in this course. If you are experiencing stress in other areas of your campus life, I am happy to help you get in contact with other resources on campus that stand ready to assist you. In addition to your academic advisor, I strongly encourage you to contact the many other support services on campus that are available.

Statement on Services

ISU Counseling and Testing Services would like to remind all students who are enrolled in the current semester (part-time or full-time) they are eligible for free, confidential counseling services. Counseling and Testing Services offers individual, group, and couples counseling, as well as Biofeedback Training. We also offer crisis intervention services Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Locations:

Pocatello: Graveley Hall, 3rd floor of the south side. To schedule an appointment call 208-282- 2130 or just stop by. Walk-ins are welcome Monday-Friday from 8am - 4pm.

Idaho Falls: Bennion Student Union, 2nd floor, Room 223. Please call 208-282-7750 to schedule an appointment.

Meridian: Counseling services are available to Meridian students through the ISU Counseling Department. Please call 208-373-1719 to schedule an appointment.