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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
becoming withdrawn from activity

 

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:

NB Each department has a designated named link consultant who can offer guidance on referring to the counselling service.

 

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