student in distress
NB for issues concerning sexual assault, hate crime and harrassment please direct to https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/topics/preventionandsupport/ and https://reportandsupport.warwick.ac.uk/
Many concerns presented by students can be usefully dealt with during a general discussion. However, there are some circumstances where it may be appropriate to signpost the student to other support. Wellbeing and Student Support can support the student with a range of issues both practical and emotional
To help gauge the most appropriate intervention for a student in distress, check the table:
Level of severity |
Emergency
|
Incapacitated
|
Extremely severe
|
Very severe
|
Severe
|
Moderately severe
|
Moderate
|
Mild
|
Very mild
|
Definition |
Violent and threatening behaviour to self and/or other; actively imminently suicidal
|
Significantly unstable; functionality significantly overwhelmed; psychotic; maybe suicidal thought and intent clear and evident
|
Some suicidal thought evident; seriously desperate; functioning significantly affected
|
Functioning significantly effected; very distressed and fearful; chronic and constant; may have suicidal thought
|
Coping to some extent but at great emotional cost; chronic but not constant
|
Distressed and functioning affected; may be having difficulty in managing demands or are
|
Considerable distress but functioning ok in some activities but performance may be effected
|
Distressed but contained
|
Concerned; response seems ‘normal’ to situation; minor difficulty
|
Example of behaviour/activity |
Overdosed; deep wrist cuts; etc; active and real threats to others with evidence of means
|
Lack of contact with reality; suicide attempt imminent
|
Uncontrollable; ‘acting out’ ie behaving erratically; shaking, ranting, uncontrollable sobbing.
|
This includes a range of examples, including: depressed; eating disordered; stressed/anxious/panicking/worried; struggles with self identity, transitions; etc which may present through the range of severity levels.
|
Struggles with assignment; homesick; relationship break up
| ||||
Action to consider |
Call emergency services (999) via security ext22222
|
Contact security ext 22222 to assist; contact WSS on 024 7657 5570 or the Central Booking Service (an NHS Mental Health service) for an urgent mental health assessment Tel: 0300 200 0011
|
Give time to calm, if uncontrollable, contact security ext 22222 to assist; contact WSS on 024 7657 5570 or the Central Booking Service (an NHS Mental Health service) for an urgent mental health assessment Tel: 0300 200 0011 |
Signpost to their GP and/or seek advice from the WSS 024 7657 5570
|
Signpost to WSS portal for a consultation
|
Signpost to WSS portal for a consultation
|
Signpost to WSS workshops and self help resources |
Signpost to WSS workshops and self help resources
|
Acknowledge distress and reassure; sign post to self help resources.
|
NBs |
Keep yourself out of danger; debrief with someone promptly
|
Keep calm to contain the situation; debrief with someone afterwards
|
Contain the situation until it subsides; debrief with someone afterwards
|
Monitor the situation regularly
|
Monitor the situation occasionally
|
Monitor the situation as required
|
Monitor the situation as required
|
Monitor the situation as required
|
Arrange to check at a later date
|
*UCS University Counselling Service. The UCS offers a comprehensive counselling service including
If you are considering referral to the UCS, or have any concerns about a student's emotional or psychological well being, please get in touch:
- e-mail counselling@warwick.ac.uk (NB this is the administration/business email address)
- telephone 024 76523761(external) or 23761(internal).
- call in during open hours
- find out where we are
NB Each department has a designated named link consultant who can offer guidance on referring to the counselling service.