Dodge Performing
Assisting Students in Distress
See Something. Say Something. Do Something.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Faculty and Staff Crisis Resources
This resource guide is provided by Student Affairs.
Created: Spring 2024.
Where Do I Start
If you are concerned about a student, don’t let uncertainty stop you from acting. SMCM is committed to supporting students, and through this guide, you will be able to recognize, respond, refer, and report concerns about your students. For additional information, talk with your supervisor/department chair, or contact the Dean of Students at 240-895-4209 or the Vice President of Student Affairs at 240-895-4208. At any time, if members of the community are in imminent danger, call 911 to reach local emergency services or the Office of Public Safety at 240-895-4911.
For additional information on how to find resources on campus, check out the following resources on the College’s website:
Basic Emergency Response: /publicsafety/emergencies/emergency-response-procedure/
Distress Guide:/publicsafety/distress-guide/
RESPOND AND HELP
Students Who Need Support
Clarify Expectations
A syllabus can send a positive signal of support for students’ learning and well-being and set early limits on disruptive/self-destructive behaviors. Consider including a section with support resources and expectations. Familiarize yourself with the guiding language for student behavior in the “Code of Student Conduct” found in the Student Handbook.
Report Serious/Persistent Behaviors
Your first-hand knowledge of and personal connection to your students is valuable in understanding and responding to their situation. To coordinate a timely response, report serious or persistent behavior concerns to the Dean of Students or complete the “Student of Concern Referral Form” –
Practice Self-Care
Helping a distressed student can take a toll on your personal well-being. Make sure to acknowledge what you’ve been through and take care of yourself. Support resources can be found through the (EAP). EAP provides free, confidential assessment/referral services for employee, contact HR.
Share What You Know
Sharing what you know allows the appropriate staff to reach out with support and resources. State and federal laws, as well as college policies, mandate reporting in many crisis situations (allegations of sexual misconduct, child abuse, threat of harm to self or others). FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) allows faculty and staff to report concerns to other campus officials.
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Disturbing content in paper/emails.
- Decline in academic performance.
- Excessive absences.
- Sudden change in behavior.
- Significant changes in appearance, behavior, or personal hygiene.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Offer support and encouragement if the student agrees to get help.
- Give an example of a time that the student’s behavior has concerned you.
- Call 911 for any immediate safety concerns.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
Advice & Consultation
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
- Dean of Students office:
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Decline in academic performance
- Written or verbal statements with the theme of death that conveys intent to harm self or others.
- Fresh cuts, scratches, wounds.
- Withdrawal from classes, activities, friends.
- Statements of hopelessness such as, “I hate this life” or “everyone is better off without me.”
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Call 911 or 240-895-4911 if there is a potential threat to the student’s safety or the safety of others.
- Express concern and care.
- Always take suicidal statements, thoughts, behaviors very seriously.
- If you suspect a student may be suicidal, seek consultation.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
Advice & Consultation
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
- Counseling and Psychological Services: 240-895-2159
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office:
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Intoxicated/high in class or at meetings/ events.
- Excessive sleepiness/hyper- energy.
- Decline in academics.
- References to alcohol/drug use in conversations, papers, projects.
- Decline in physical appearance (bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, trembling hands).
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Offer support and encouragement if the student agrees to get help.
- Give an example of a time that the student’s behavior has concerned you.
- Offer to help the student make an appointment at the Wellness Center.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
Advice & Consultation
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office:
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Excessive worry, guilt, nervousness.
- Decline in academics/loss of focus.
- Physical symptoms (trouble breathing, pounding, or racing heart, numbness, tingling, sweating or chills, weakness/ dizziness, jaw pain/teeth grinding, chest/stomach pain.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Avoid criticizing, blaming, or sounding judgmental.
- Recommend (or if necessary, insist upon) intervention.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
Advice & Consultation
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
- Counseling and Psychological Services: 240-895-2159
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office:
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Acts that demonstrate bias on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Listen to the student's responses.
- Avoid criticizing, blaming, or sounding judgmental.
- Encourage the student to save photos, communications, or other evidence of bias.
- Don’t remove any evidence prior to reporting
Refer (Who to Contact)
- IDEAA; Michelle Carter: 240-895-4105
Advice & Consultation
- Office of Inclusive Diversity, Equity, Access & Accountability (IDEAA): 240-895-2225; OIDE@smcm.edu
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Submit a “
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Internet flaming, trolling, name- calling, or harassment.
- Threats to release private information/photos.
- Identity theft, account hacking.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Encourage the student to update passwords and privacy settings.
- Encourage the student to keep a log of the bullying/harassing behavior.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
- Office of Information Technology (OIT): 240-895-4357
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
- Submit a work request ticket on the OIT website.
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Student mentions struggling due to a disability.
- Student expresses concerns such as difficulty reading, concentrating, or memorizing.
- Challenges with organizing tasks, homework, or deadlines; or other issues potentially related to a potential undiagnosed accessibility issue.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Listen to the student's responses.
- Avoid stigmatizing behaviors such as criticizing, blaming, sounding judgmental, overly emphasizing, or minimizing the situation.
- Provide the student with a referral to the Office of Accessibility Services.
- Be supportive and encouraging.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Office of Accessibility Services: 240-895-2234
Advice & Consultation
- Dean of Students Office: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Unwarranted interruptions.
- Slurs/other forms of intimidation.
- Rude or abusive behavior.
- Failure to follow directions.
When to call Public Safety for assistance:
- Throwing items, refusing to leave, threat of harm to self or others, preventing others from leaving, physically abusive behavior, showing or stating the presence of a weapon.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Call 911 if there is a potential threat to the student’s safety or the safety of others.
- Express concern and care..
- Explain the impact of the student’s behavior on the group/class
- Outline your expectations verbally and in your syllabus.
- Help students explore options and alternatives such as the Dean of Students Office.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
- CAPS: 240-895-2159
Advice & Consultation
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Frequent or extended absences.
- Decline in academics.
- Mentions family, financial, or other challenges.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions for themselves.
- Exhaustion/fatigue.
- Excessive worry, eating problems.
- Inability to complete work due to not having required textbooks.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Listen to the student's responses.
- Avoid criticizing, blaming, or sounding judgmental.
- Provide the student with resources to the Dean of Students or Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA).
- Be supportive and encouraging
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Office of Student Financial Assistance: 240-895-3000
- Dean of Students Office: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Communications that continue after being told to stop.
- Threats to release private information/photos.
- Display of sexually suggestive pictures or cartoons in workspace, res halls, or online.
- Verbal/sexual abuse flirtations.
- Demand for sexual favors accompanied by implied threat to academic status.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Call 911 if there is a potential threat to the student’s safety or the safety of others.
- Identify resources such as Title IX, Public Safety (for safety planning), Dean of Students.
- Encourage the student to save copies of all communications including texts, voicemails, and pictures.
- Avoid promising confidentiality.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
- CAPS: 240-895-2159
- Title IX: 240-895-4105
Advice & Consultation
- Title IX Office: 240-895-2021
- Dean of Students: 240-895-3112
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Title IX: titleix@smcm.edu
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Withdrawal from activities, friends
- Exhaustion, fatigue.
- Significant change in appearance or hygiene (wearing embarrassing or humiliating attire).
- Verbal/sexual abuse flirtations.
- Visible injuries, cuts, or branding (symbols, initials, Greek letters).
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Call 911 if there is a potential threat to the student’s safety or the safety of others.
- Remain calm. Showing outrage may cause the student to shut down.
- Avoid criticizing, blaming, or sounding judgmental.
- Listen to the student’s responses.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Mentions crisis or concern.
- Decline in academics.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Excessive worry.
- Sleeping, eating problems.
- Disengaged.
- Mentions concern about visa or immigration status.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Avoid criticizing, blaming, or sounding judgmental.
- Be supportive and encouraging.
- Listen to the student’s responses.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Office of International Education: 240-895-4202
- Office of Student Success Services: 240-895-4388
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Decline in academics.
- Lack of peer engagement.
- Excessive worry.
- Sleeping, eating problems.
- Exhaustion, fatigue.
- Mentions lack of a social circle.
- Statements such as “I don’t have any friends here,” “no one understands me,” or “I don’t go to the dining hall or events because I don’t want to go alone.”
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Provide the student with resources.
- Avoid minimizing the situation.
- Invite the student to lunch.
- Suggest a campus event or student organization.
- Be supportive and encourage the student to connect to resources.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- CAPS: 240-895-2159
Advice & Consultation
- Office of Student Success Services: 240-895-4388
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Frequent absences.
- Decline/struggle in academics.
- Noticeable weight loss or gain.
- Hair loss; pale or gray skin tone.
- Difficulty with time management, following directions, or organization.
- Unusual or secretive eating habits; obsession with fat/caloric content.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Call 911 if there is a potential threat to the student’s safety or the safety of others.
- Express concern and care.
- Listen to the student.
- Avoid being judgmental.
- Recommend medical intervention.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Health Services: 240-895-4289
Advice & Consultation
- Office of Student Success Services (OS3): 240-895-4388
- Dean of Students Office: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- Frequent or extended absences.
- Decline in academics.
- Mentions relationship, financial, or other challenges.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions for themselves.
- Exhaustion, fatigue, sleeping problems.
- Excessive worry, eating problems.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Listen to the student’s responses.
- Avoid criticizing, blaming, or sounding judgmental.
- Provide the student with resources.
- Be supportive and encouraging.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- CAPS: 240-895-2159
- Office of Student Success Services: 240-895-4388
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Dean of Students office: Submit a
Recognize (Potential Behaviors)
- References to sexual assault or relationship violence in conversations, papers, projects.
- Visible injuries, bruises.
- Mishaps or injuries with illogical/no explanation.
- Crying or leaving when sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking, or child abuse is the topic.
- Fearful or anxious about pleasing partner/others
- Mentions partner/other’s possessiveness, jealousy, or violent behavior, but may apologize/excuse/
laugh it off.
Respond (What You Can Say)
- Express concern and care.
- Call 911 if there is a potential threat to the student’s safety or the safety of others.
- Listen to the student’s responses.
- Remain calm. Showing outrage may shut the student down.
- Avoid criticizing, blaming, sounding judgmental.
- Don’t minimize the situation
- Provide resources for safety planning.
- Suggest medical intervention.
- Avoid promising confidentiality.
Refer (Who to Contact)
- Urgent: 911
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
Advice & Consultation
- Title IX Coordinator: 240-895-2021
- Dean of Students: 240-895-4209
Report (Submit a Report To)
- Submit a Discrimination, Harassment, Title IX, and Retaliation Report Form
- Title IX: titleix@smcm.edu
- Public Safety: 240-895-4911
Maintaining Compliance With Laws and Policies
Intellectual Integrity
to foster an environment in which students adhere to these same standards that will extend beyond their time at SMCM.
Mandatory Reporters
Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and are required to report incidents of alleged sexual misconduct, threat of harm to self or others, or child abuse.
Non-Discrimination Policy
SMCM is fully committed to equal employment and educational opportunities for its employees and students.
The College does not discriminate or condone discrimination or harassment in the workplace or academic setting, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and parental status), national origin, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Code of Student Conduct
As leaders and role models faculty and professional staff must adhere to the highest standards of intellectual integrity in scholarship and professional practice.
The College endeavors Discipline shall be applied to conduct by a student/student organization occurring on College premises, activities off-campus, or at College sponsored programs off-campus. College sponsored programs by a student/student organization off-campus include but are not limited to internships, student teaching, community service, international programs, intramural and club sports activities, and athletics.
Title IX
/title-ix-office/The College prohibits all forms of sexual and gender-based discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, relationship violence and retaliation. The College endeavors to foster a climate free from sexual harassment and retaliation through training, education, and prevention programs, and through policies and procedures that promote prompt reporting, prohibit retaliation, and ensure timely, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution of complaints in a way that eliminates the sexual harassment, prevents its recurrence, and addresses its’ effects.
RESPONSE PROTOCOL
Follow the chart to determine who to contact when faced with a distressed or distressing student.
Is the student a danger to self? Or others?.
YES
- The student’s conduct is clearly and imminently reckless, disorderly, dangerous, or threatening including self-harm behavior or having a weapon.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
- CALL 911 or PS 240-895-4911
REPORT
- After speaking with police report the concern to CARE team and DOS at 240-895-4209
I’M NOT SURE
- The student shows signs of distress but I am unsure how serious it is. My interaction has left me feeling uneasy and/or concerned.
REPORT
- During business hours call the Dean of Students Office for consultation at 240-895-4209 or VPSA at 240-895-4208 Or
NO
- I am not concerned for the student’s immediate safety, but they are having significant academic and/or personal issues and could use some support.
REPORT
- Refer the student to an appropriate campus resource. (See options on the right.) Or walk student to Counseling Services Center during business hours.
RESOURCES
On Campus
- Bias Response Team – 240-895-2012
- CARE team – 240-895-4209
- Counseling Services – 240-895-2159
- Employer Assistance Program (EAP) – 844-405-8200
- Dean of Students – 240-895-4209
- Health Services – 240-895-4289
- IDEAA – 240-895-2225
- Medical Transport(non-emergency) –
240-895-4208 - OAS – Office of Accessibility Services –
240-895-2250/TTYx4327 - OFSA – Financial Assistance – 240-895-3000
- OS3 – Office of Student Success Services –
240-895-4388 - Office of Public Safety – 240-895-4911
- Office of Student Conduct – 240-895-4207
- Office of Title IX – 240-895-2012
In the Community
- The Trevor Project – 866-488-7386
- Crisis Walk-in services at the St. Mary’s County Health Hub – 301-904-8949
(21625 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park) Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sante Southern Maryland – Call 877-618-0074 Mobile Crisis Teams Are Available 8 am to midnight/ 7 days a week. For help with: People in Crisis, Behavior Health Issues, Substance Use, Intellectual Disabilities and other Resources.
Links/Hotline
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline –
- Crisis –
- Counseling & Psychological Services – www.smcm.edu/counseling/
- Protocall is a 24/7 toll free crisis hotline for SMCM students
- (to access ProtoCall services please dial 240-895-4200)