Resources for faculty & staff
Identifying your concerns for students through Early Alert
Faculty and staff are encouraged to use Early Alert when they are concerned about a student’s wellbeing or academic performance—so that students who need assistance are connected with support in a coordinated approach before their difficulties become overwhelming. Concerning behaviour might include: marked decrease in academic performance; marked change in mood or behaviour; the student appears unusually withdrawn or distracted; and/or any other behaviour that indicates the student might be facing difficulties.
Access the easy-to-use, web-based Early Alert form for faculty and staff (use your CWL credentials to log in).
For more detailed information regarding next steps after a concern is submitted, how to talk to students regarding Early Alert, and Early Alert FAQs for faculty and staff including opportunities for training, please visit the UBC Student Services Early Alert pages.
Situations Requiring Immediate Referral to Student Wellness
- Direct or indirect reference to suicide
a. Regardless of the circumstance or context, any reference to death by suicide should be taken very seriously and a mental health professional should be consulted.
b. Indirect references to suicide may include the following: expressing feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or helplessness; feelings that the world, family, friends, would be better off without the; unreasonable feelings of guilt
In the event of an actual suicide attempt, immediately call Emergency Services at 911 and Campus Security at ext. 78111 (from any campus phone) or 250 807 9236 to request assistance and/or ambulance - Violent and Threatening Behaviour
a. Intervention or response varies with the severity of the offending behaviour
b. Immediate threat to safety or person/property: Immediately contact the RCMP/Call 911 and Contact Campus Security and your supervisor. - Difficulty communicating and/or apparent distortions of reality
Communication troubles such as impaired speech and irrational conversation or distortions of reality such as disturbing material in academic assignments are all causes for concern. - Marked Changes in Mood or Behaviour
Marked withdrawal from social interactions, notable changes in academic work, energy levels, or appearance are common signs of distress.
Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Assault
Responding to someone who has been sexually assaulted can be complex but chances are they have come to you because they trust you. Be compassionate, respectful, and supportive. Survivors of sexual assault are the experts in determining what steps and resources are best for themselves, however, you can ensure they have access and information about their resources.
- Attend to safety – Encourage the student to seek medical care and confirm that they have somewhere safe to stay. The Sexual Violence & Prevention Response Office is available to students, staff, and faculty and is located on the Okanagan campus. Kelowna General Hospital, Student Wellness, and Campus Security are all possible helpful contacts as well.
- Listen and show support – Allow the survivor to lead the conversation and listen without interrupting. Respect the words they use to describe what’s happened, believing their account of events and reminding them they are not at fault. It can be helpful to ask what you can do to be supportive and to ease concerns the student might have about academic considerations in the moment.
- Provide information on resources at UBC and in the community – More information on resources and contact information can be found on this Support for Student Survivors (PDF) brochure and on the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office.
