Red Folder Initiative
Assisting Students in Distress
A guide to help recognize, respond to, and refer distressed students at Juniata College.
Preparing to Reach Out
- Know the available campus resources and the referral process
- If safe, meet privately and always allow sufficient time to meet
- Ensure your safety
- If you decide not to have direct contact with the student, refer the incident immediately
- Contact JCPS if a student expresses a direct threat to self or others, or acts in a bizarre, severely irrational or disruptive way
Connecting With the Student
- Clearly express your concerns focusing on the behavior in nondisparaging terms
- Allow the student to talk
- Do not challenge or become argumentative with the student
- Ask directly if the student wants to hurt themself or others
- Respect the students privacy without making false promises of confidentiality
- Document all incidents and attempts to resolve the situation
Making the Referral
- Recommend Services and provide direct referrals; assist student in contacting resources
- Frame any decision to seek and accept help as an intellegent choice
- Make sure the student understands what actions are neccessary
- Be frank with the student about your limits (e.g., time, expertise)
- Encourage and assist the student to make and keep an appointment and set a follow-up meeting with the student
Recognize
What You May See
Trust your gut! Please look at the resource guide to find the best support for a student in distress.
Respond
What Should I Say?
Remember to share with your student if you are a Responsible Employee and your duty to report what they may share. In addition to referring a student to resources, any sexual or gender-based harassment or assault requires mandated reporting. If they are looking for confidential support, please look at the list on the following page. For any questions regarding Mandated Reporting please contact Title IX Coordinator, Dan Cook-Huffman, djc101@juniata.edu.
"Before we get too far into talking, I need to let you know that I am a responsible employee, which means that I am required by the school to report your situation to the Title IX Coordinator who works really hard to keep your information very private."
- Reassure them of the Title IX Coordinator's resources and role.
- Give them the option to stop and talk to confidential resources, like a counselor.
Conversation Tips:
I've missed you in class lately. Is everything OK? Is there anything I can do to help?
You haven't been participating in the past few classes. Is there anything you want to talk about?
It sounds like you are really overwhelmed! Is there anything I can do to help out?
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am not an expert in this area, but I know someone who may be able to help. Would it be OK if I put you in contact with them?
