If you are unsure if a student needs help and/or you are unsure how to help, please call BUCS at 615-460-6856 and consult with one of the staff clinicians.  Our hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm.  When you call, identify yourself as a faculty or staff member and let our office manager know the urgency of the situation. Specifically, does this situation require a response by the end of the day or within the next week? This information will help our office manager route your call appropriately.

We also encourage you to submit a student concerns form that is located here.

 If you feel the situation is an emergency (concern about safety of the student or another person), please call Security at 615-460-6911.

We encourage you to provide the name of the student; although, it was not required. We are happy to discuss any concerns you have about confidentiality and disclosure. Having the student's name allows us to more effectively and appropriately respond. 

When you call, you will be asked whether or not you are comfortable with us giving your name to the student. If you provide information that we need to act on by doing a well-being check or intervening in some way, we will either provide your name with your permission or let the student know that “a concerned community member” gave us the information. If you are the only person the student confided in, you may be identifiable. 

Feel free to discuss any concerns you have with this process with us!

It is best to initiate contact with a phone call.  Our clinical staff often have multiple sessions in a row, and e-mail may not be checked frequently. If you call, you can be immediately directed to someone who is able to address your concern that day. 

If you notice the following issues or changes in behavior in a student, please consider referring the student to BUCS. We also recommend that you consider filing a Student Concern form. 

• Abrupt changes in behavior, hygiene or appearance 
  
• Anxiety about a family situation or a relationship difficulty 
  
• Bizarre behavior or disjointed thoughts 
  
• Chronic fatigue and lack of energy 
  
• Inappropriate behavior which interferes with other students functioning in the classroom 
  
• Irritability, aggressive or abrasive behavior 
  
• Noticeable fearfulness, tearfulness, or nervousness 
  
• Preoccupation with death 
  
• Poor class attendance 
  
• Self-injurious behavior (e.g cutting) 
  
• Sense of aimlessness-“no purpose in life” or feeling like a burden to friends or family 
  
• Signs of alcohol or drug use 
  
• Suicidal thoughts-“I want to go to sleep and never wake up” 
  
• Withdrawal from friends or family 

• Communicate your concern to the student: “I’ve noticed you missed several classes over the past two weeks. How have you been?” 
• Ask questions: “I noticed you wrote a paper about death for last week’s assignment. Have you had thoughts about death or suicide?” 
• Refer to resources and encourage help-seeking. Support the student by encouraging them to contact counseling.
• For additional ideas on managing conversations:
  • Seize the Awkward
  • ACE Card for Suicide Risk