Faculty and Staff Guide to helping students
Concerned about the well-being or safety of someone in our campus community?
App State has resources to help.
What to Look For
Distressed Behavior
- Prolonged or frequent sadness, crying, lethargy, irritability, rapid speech, preoccupation or increased or more intense disagreements
- Changes in physical well-being, such as swollen eyes from crying, increased illnesses, poor self-hygiene, rapid weight changes or frequent sleeping in class
- Confusion or significant inability to concentrate
- Loss of motivation
- Excessive mood swings
- Drinking alcohol and/or using drugs in ways that appear to interfere with basic functioning and well-being
- Communication in oral, written or electronic formats that may suggest they may be thinking about self-harm
- Reluctant to acknowledge the apparent need for help
Disruptive Behavior
- Highly disruptive, explosive or disrespectful behavior to the living-learning environment (verbal hostility, aggression, disregard for classroom decorum and expected conduct, etc.)
- Hostility toward corrective feedback
- Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, pressured speech; disorganized, confused or rambling speech)
- Loss of contact with reality (seeing or hearing things others cannot see or hear; unsubstantiated beliefs or fears that others may be conspiring against them)
- Harassing/inappropriate communications (including threatening letters or electronic communications, such as phone calls, voicemails, emails, text messages, social media posts, etc.)
- Communication in oral, written or electronic formats that may suggest they may be thinking about self-harm or harming others
Dangerous Behavior
If safety is an immediate concern, call 911 right away.
- Normalize seeking help as something everyone needs from time to time
- Verbal or physical threats to harm oneself or others
- Communicates intent to attempt suicide, either verbally or in writingStudent expresses they feel they are in immediate danger due to threats of harm or actions by another individual
How to Help
How to help distressed or disruptive students
- Deal directly with the behavior by providing corrective feedback and offering help
- Consider having someone meet with you and the student if you have any concerns for personal safety or believe you or the student would feel more comfortable with another person present
- Avoid offering confidentiality to the student, should they wish to talk
- Consider helping the student connect with the appropriate referral resource
- If the student rejects referral, contact the appropriate office or department to consult with their team
- Inform and consult with your supervisor or department chair
- Document interactions of concern immediately
- Establish clear boundaries and expectations in the classroom community
How to respond to dangerous behavior
If you feel there is or could be immediate danger to yourself or others, always seek immediate assistance by calling 911. You can also text 911 if you are in a situation where you cannot call and need emergency help.
Emergency
- 911 (call or text)
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- 988 (call or text)
App State Police
- 828-262-8000
App State Police Boone
461 Rivers Street, Boone, NC 28608
(first floor, Rivers Street Parking Deck)
App State Police Hickory
800 17th St. NW, Hickory, NC 28601
(first floor, next to Information Desk office 1201)
After-hours student counseling
(Counseling & Psychological Services)
- 828-262-3180
After normal business hours, listen to the message and select the option to speak with a counselor on-call.
What will happen next
- Effort will be made to help students successfully navigate challenges
- All referrals will be reviewed and connections will be made with the appropriate offices and departments
- Referrals to these offices are not intended to substitute for faculty or staff conversations with students
- Counseling sessions are confidential and free to students
- Assessment measures may lead to additional referrals and/or counseling in some cases
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) dictates what information can be shared after a referral
If you are unsure about making a call to help someone, make the call.
Asking for help is normal, healthy and a sign of strength.
Quick Guide to Helping Students
Making Referrals at App State
Any person with concerns about a student may make a referral. Referral content will determine the action plans or response. Remember, offering support to students of concern is a collaborative effort.
Contact Student Success
- Academic referrals to share concerns related to estimated grade, participation/engagement level, attendance and class presence
- studentsuccess.appstate.edu
- 828-262-8547
Contact Student Conduct
- Disciplinary or academic dishonesty consultation and assistance, dean certifications, classroom presentations on academic integrity and consultation. Report alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct, such as hazing
- studentconduct.appstate.edu
- 828-262-2704
Contact App State Police
- Suspicious activity, after-hours help and crime reporting, including cyber crimes and cyberbullying, vandalism, threats or violence
- police.appstate.edu
- 828-262-8000
Call Student Health Service
- Primary care clinic, testing and treatment, vaccinations, and other health consultations and referrals
- healthservices.appstate.edu
- 828-262-3100
Contact Counseling & Psychological Services
- Concerns with adjustments to college life, relationships, stress, depression, anxiety, family problems, body image and eating concerns, referral to community resources and online support programs
- counseling.appstate.edu
- 828-262-3180
Wellness and Prevention Services
- Alcohol and other drug misuse counseling, nutrition counseling, addictions and recovery support
- wellness.appstate.edu
- 828-262-3148
Student Support
Consider these signs of ACADEMIC STRESS:
- Change in behavior and/or content of communication in the classroom
- Significant changes in academic performance
- Frequent tardiness and/or excessive absences
- Withdrawal and/or avoidance from participation
- Increased anxiety around exams or deadlines
- Difficulty working/interacting with others
- Repeated requests for deadline extensions, changes in requirements or grade changes
Case Management
Support for students navigating a myriad of concerns, including complex personal situations, extenuating circumstances, family emergencies and safety concerns that impact students academically.
- 828-262-8284
- casemanagement.appstate.edu
- deanofstudents.appstate.edu
Disability Resources
Oversees disability-related access needs, resources/support referrals and eligibility of appropriate accommodations for students.
- 828-262-3056
- odr.appstate.edu
Equal Opportunity
Oversees report and response to allegations of discrimination and harassment based on protected status and requests for religious and pregnancy-based accommodations.
- 828-262-2144
- eo.appstate.edu
App State Resources in Boone and Hickory
All offices and departments are available for consultation
App State Police
- 828-262-8000
- police.appstate.edu
Counseling and Psychological Services
- 828-262-3180
- counseling.appstate.edu
Counseling for Faculty and Staff
- 828-262-4951
- cfs.appstate.edu
Office of the Dean of Students
- 828-262-8284
- deanofstudents.appstate.edu
Case Management
- 828-262-8284
- casemanagement.appstate.edu
Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
- 828-262-2704
- studentconduct.appstate.edu
Disability Resources
- 828-262-3056
- odr.appstate.edu
Student Health Service
- 828-262-3100
- healthservices.appstate.edu
Safety and Emergency Management
- 828-262-4008
- emergency.appstate.edu
Equal Opportunity
- 828-262-2144
- eo.appstate.edu
Wellness and Prevention Services
- 828-262-3148
- wellness.appstate.edu
Counseling for Faculty and Staff
- 828-262-4951
- cfs.appstate.edu
Student Success
- 828-262-8547
- studentsuccess.appstate.edu
Disco Student Learning Center
- 828-262-2291
- studentlearningcenter.appstate.edu
Mountaineer Food Hub & Free Store
- 828-262-2659
- sustain.appstate.edu/food-hub
Office of Human Resources
- 828-262-3187
- hr.appstate.edu
Office of General Counsel
- 828-262-2751
- generalcounsel.appstate.edu
Student Affairs
- 828-262-2060
- studentaffairs.appstate.edu
Student Veteran Services
- 828-262-2722
- militarystudents.appstate.edu
Student Legal Clinic
- 828-262-8284
- legalclinic.appstate.edu
University Housing (Boone only)
- 828-262-2160
- housing.appstate.edu
University Ombuds Office
- 828-262-2559
- ombuds.appstate.edu
Appalachian Safety App (RAVE Guardian)
Appalachian Safety App (RAVE Guardian) can turn your phone into an additional personal safety device. Download the FREE Rave Guardian safety app to check in with family, friends, contact the Appalachian Police Department (APD) and other local emergency service providers to help you stay safe both on and off campus.
Community Resources
Emergency
- 911 (call or text)
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- 988 (call or text)
Daymark 24/7 Crisis Line
- 866-275-9552
Hickory Mental Health Crisis Line, Catawba Valley Healthcare
- 828-695-2511
OASIS: (Boone) Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence support
- 828-264-1532
- 24-Hour Crisis Line
- 828-262-5035
Shelter Home of Caldwell County, serving Catawba County Domestic and sexual violence support
- Main Office
- 828-758-0888
- 24-hr Crisis Line
- 828-758-7088 (call or text)
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- 988 (call or text)
National Sexual Assault Hotline
- 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Hickory Police Department
- 828-328-5551
Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
- 828-464-5241
Watauga County Sheriff’s Office
- 828-264-3761
Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Tip Line
- 828-465-8312
Boone Police Department
- 828-268-6900