Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools Electronic Warning System, Suicide Prevention

1. Northeastern Association of Graduate SchoolsElectronic Warning System, Suicide Prevention Mr. Dennis Gornic Associate Dean Graduate Education Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

2. The roles and responsibilities The Electronic Warning System The Electronic Warning System The TA’s Role • Know the signs for depression, stress and anxiety • Observe student behavior & performance in your faculty labs, recitation and office hours • Notify professor of your concerns early in the staff advisor semester and as often as necessary • Refer students when necessary to ALAC, Counseling Center, OFYE, DOSO, Health Center Working together for student success The Instructor’s Role • Know the signs for depression, stress, and anxiety • Observe student behavior & performance in class and ask for TA feedback • Report concerns on EWS • Follow - up with TA and student • Refer students when necessary to ALAC, Counseling Center, OFYE, DOSO, and Health Center Advisor’s Role • Follow - up with student by e - mailing or calling • Advise student on next steps • Refer students to support services when necessary

3. The Electronic Warning System (EWS) is an : EWS is easy to use electronic alert system for instructors to notify • Go to the class list on SIS students of concerns and problems before they • Click on EWS for a specific student receive poor grades. The student’s academic • Pull down a menu that displays concerns advisor and support services will also be notified so • Pick a concern they may assist students to be more successful at • Submit the concern Rensselaer . • The warning is dated and logged The Electronic Warning Process Reported concerns on EWS Advising & Learning Center contacts professors • Irregular Attendance • Assignments not handed in • Poor performance on quizzes, tests & projects • Poor math skills Professor reports concerns on specific students • Weak writing skills • Other: special situations/ behavioral/emotional issues (Message is sent to advisor, ALAC, and OFYE. ALAC would customize response based on situation) E - mail message is sent to student, the academic advisor, ALAC and Office of the Possible reasons for students experiencing First - Year Experience (OFYE) difficulty • Weak understanding of content material • Poor time management/ study skills OFYE or DOSO and advisor follow up • Over committed/social time & working with student • Lack of motivation/interest in course • Personal issues w/family or other relationships • Adjusting to new living environment Based on situation, OFYE & advisor might refer • Lack of sleep or not eating regularly student to another service or office • Change in medication • Depression/stress/anxiety OFYE or ALAC will follow - up on referral.

4. SUICIDE PREVENTION American College Health Association Survey: Too Depressed to Function in last year: 42% @ least once “Many college students experience depression.... we are looking at ways to educate the entire campus community about this issue, and create a space where people feel comfortable enough to talk about their problems.…. estimated that between 20 and 30 percent of college students are experiencing a mental illness. When students begin talking openly ….they will discover that they are not alone, and there is help available.” Dr. Leslie Lawrence, Medical Director of the RPI Student Health Center. “Most of us have had, or will have, fleeting thoughts of death as a means of escaping from an unpleasant situation at some time in our lives. It is when the thoughts are more than just fleeting that there is a need for concern. Life can be tough, and students need to understand that it’s normal to go through some rough times. However, the more we talk about it, and offer students options for help, we let them know that in addition to their family members there are many people within the Rensselaer community who care and want to help.” Dr. Joe Albert, Director of the RPI Counseling Center • Rensselaer was selected as one of 22 schools nationwide to receive a Campus Suicide-Prevention Grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). • $225,000 in new federal funding to expand its suicide prevention efforts. To enhance training and education programs for students, faculty, staff, and parents to recognize suicidal symptoms.

5. Programs Developed or Expanded Under the Grant • QPR Training: Question/Persuade/Refer (www.qprinstitute.com ) • Groups trained: Students, Faculty, Staff (~350 to date) • QPR Overview • Psychological and Physical Signs to Look For: • Deterioration in physical presence or hygiene • Exaggerated behaviors or personality traits, such as agitation, withdrawal, or blunted affect • Normal emotions displayed at an extreme level or prolonged period of time, such as irritability, anxiety, or tearful behavior • Unwarranted anger, hostility, or outbursts • Significant changes in concentration or motivation • Evidence of alcohol or other drug dependence or abuse • Visible increases or decreases in weight • Extreme fatigue or sleepiness in class • Evidence of "cutting" behavior, such as knife-like cuts on arms • The following recommendations can be used if a student approaches you with a problem and/or if you decide to approach a student about some of the signs listed above. • Talk privately to the student about your concerns. • Listen carefully to what the student has to say. • Be non-judgmental in expressing your concerns. • Repeat back what the student has said to you to make sure you understand the essence of what is going on for them. • Refer them to the Counseling Center and discuss the referral with the student.

6. Resources, Services & Outreach • Counseling Center staffing; on call; urgent hours; intake hours, • Psychiatrist, four staff psychologists, one health educator, student population 6500, • Online QPR for new employees, • Tie-in of suicide prevention with Electronic Warning System, • Include in undergraduate & graduate orientations, • Teaching Assistant Training Program sessions in EWS & suicide prevention, • Staff and faculty training in QPR. • Intervention Team.