The Office of the Dean of Students strongly encourages individuals to make an appointment by calling 719-255-3091, emailing dos@uccs.edu, or contacting a specific staff member using our staff contact information.

 

Strategies

Strategies

Strategies to Assist Students

The CARE Team often receives questions from students, faculty, and staff about specific behaviors they observe or experiences they hear about. Below you will find the most common behaviors or experiences the CARE Team is consulted about on campus. Within each behavior or experience listed, you will see a short summary as well as some guidance for ways you can help someone. The CARE Team encourages you to look at this list if you are trying to find help for yourself or someone else. 

Aggression and Potential Violence

Aggressive behavior occurs in many contexts and varies from verbal abuse to severe physical abuse. In most situations, it’s difficult to predict aggression until the person’s behavior changes. For example, a person could be quiet and reserved, but prone to hostile aggressive outbursts.

Potential Violence: When a person has rigid control of their emotional expressions, an inability to verbally express themselves, and an over-controlled response to hostility, be aware of potential violence. A person with no history of violence may have aggressive outbursts that happen only when drinking alcohol and/or using other substances or undergoing substance withdrawal.

Signs of being prone to violence: unstable school/vocational history; a history of juvenile violence and/or substance abuse; history of family violence/abuse; fascination with weapons; a pattern of cruelty to animals as a child or adolescent; inability to control aggressive impulses.

 

IF YOU NEED HELP MANAGING AGGRESSION OR VIOLENT BEHAVIOR:

1. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER AN AGGRESSIVE OR POTENTIALLY VIOLENT PERSON:

1. Practice the following advice.

DO

  • Determine if you feel safe. If you don’t, leave the situation and call UCCS Police at 719-255-3111 or when off campus contact 911. Stay in an open area, preferably with an exit door nearby.
  • Clearly explain which behaviors are acceptable and which are unacceptable.
  • Stay calm. Gain control of the situation by clearly setting limits and addressing concerns.
  • Offer an appointment for a later time or make an appropriate referral.
  • Discuss the situation with a colleague, co-worker or supervisor and have them on standby to contact additional resources if needed.
  • Avoid making statements like “I understand what you are going through,” instead use statements like “I understand you are upset, what can I do to help?”

DON’T

  • Remain in an unsafe place.
  • Engage in a screaming match. If they are screaming, don’t match their volume. Continue speaking in a calm voice.
  • Make promises you cannot keep.
  • Ignore warning signs that the person’s anger is escalating.
  • Threaten, dare, taunt or back the person into a corner.
  • Allow yourself to be backed into an area where items could be used as weapons.
  • Touch the person or crowd their personal space.
  • Meet alone with the person.

2. Refer to the following resources for assistance:

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal response to a stressor, perceived danger, or threat to one’s well-being or self-esteem.

Symptoms associated with anxiety include: feelings of losing control; rapid heartbeat; chest pain or discomfort; dizziness; sweating; trembling; gastrointestinal (GI) upset; fatigue; confusion, agitation, difficulty concentrating, excessive worrying, difficulty making decisions, and too overwhelmed to take action.

Anxiety responses are meant to be short-term. However, some people experience prolonged generalized anxiety on a consistent basis. This can impact their ability to perform academically by affecting concentration, memory, the processing of information and the ability to comprehend. Anxiety may also have a negative impact on other areas of a person’s life, such as relationships and work. It may impact a person’s ability to feel safe in common situations, such as driving, traveling, attending school, or being in crowds.

Panic Attacks: A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear and dread that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening and may result in severe physical symptoms, leading a person to believe that they are having a heart attack, losing all control, or even dying.

 

IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH ANXIETY OR PANIC ATTACKS:

1. Seek assistance. The following resource is available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

2. Take care of your body and mind. Getting enough sleep, moving regularly, and eating nutritious foods are all ways to improve anxiety. Practicing mindfulness, deep breathing, and visualizing a successful outcome to a stressful situation can also manage anxiety and stress responses. 

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN CORRESPONDING WITH A PERSON STRUGGLING WITH ANXIETY:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Listen. Let the person talk about their feelings. This helps relieve some pressure.
  • Be supportive. Provide reassurance.
  • When possible, talk to the person in private.
  • Remain calm. Talk slowly.
  • Assume control. Speak in an explicit, concise manner. Be clear and direct and soothing.
  • Respectively, focus on the relevant information.
  • Assist the person in developing an action plan that addresses the most pressing concern.
  • Offer to help them connect to supportive campus resources.
  • If a person is having a panic attack, have them try to match your breath to slow their breathing; offer the person something tangible to hold, such a cup of water or small object
  • If the person is having a panic attack and requires medical attention, call campus police at 719-255-3111.

DON’T

  • Make solutions complicated.
  • Overwhelm the person with ideas on how to “fix” their condition.
  • Argue with irrational thoughts or catastrophic thinking.
  • Crowd the person’s physical space.
  • Try to solve all the problems.
  • Devalue the information or minimize the person’s concern.
  • Take responsibility for the person’s emotional state.
  • Assume the person will get over their anxiety without treatment.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Bias Incidents and Hate Crimes

A hate crime is a criminal act targeting a person, or their property, because of that person’s real or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Bias incidents are more common on college campuses than hate crimes. They are generally similar to hate crimes, except they focus on conduct, speech, or expression. Regardless, victims tend to experience the same range of emotions and benefit from the same level of caring response.

Because both hate crimes and bias incidents are connected to a person’s protected class status, the behavior experienced by an individual may also fall under discrimination and harassment according to UCCS policy.

 

IF YOU HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO BIAS OR A HATE CRIME:

1. Get to a safe place. If you are in immediate danger, please call the police:

  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Colorado Springs Police: 911

2. Document everything that happens. Include dates, times, locations, and a detailed description of what happened. Additionally, you can preserve evidence by keeping relevant texts, social media posts, or photos of injury or property damage.

3. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC): 719-255-3319
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354
  • Office of the Dean of Students: 719-255-3091

4. Submit an OIE Report.

 

WHEN CORRESPONDING WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A HATE CRIME OR BIAS:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • If possible, meet with the person in private.
  • Be aware that the person may feel many emotions, including shame, anger, fear, denial, etc.
  • Encourage the person to report the incident.

DON’T

  • Explain the differences between a “hate crime” and a “bias incident.” It’s immaterial.
  • Minimize the situation.
  • Express personal biases.
  • Assure the person you can ensure confidentiality. Once a mandatory reporter of the University knows about a report of a bias incident or hate crime, they must disclose it to the Office of Institutional Equity.

2. Refer the individual to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC): 719-255-3319
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354
  • Office of the Dean of Students: 719-255-3091

3. Submit an OIE Report.

*As a reminder, if you are a mandatory reporter for the University, you must disclose any report of a bias incident or hate crime to the Office of Institutional Equity. You can fulfill this requirement by filling out the online incident reporting form or contact the office by email at equity@uccs.edu or by phone at 719-255-4324.

Bullying

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and is not tolerated at UCCS. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. People who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

To be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

  • Imbalance of Power: People who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.

  • Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. Bullying is also a form of harassment, also not tolerated at UCCS.

Verbal Bullying: saying or writing mean things, such as:

  • Teasing/Taunting
  • Name-calling
  • Inappropriate sexual comments
  • Threatening to cause harm

Microaggressions: everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership such as: 

  • Failing to learn to pronounce or continuing to mispronounce the names of students after they have corrected
  • Calling on, engaging and validating one gender, class, or race of students while ignoring other students
  • Using inappropriate humor that degrades students from different groups
  • Singling others out because of their backgrounds
  • Expecting others of any particular group to ‘represent’ the perspectives of others of their race, gender, etc. in discussions or debates.

Social Bullying (or relational bullying): involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships and includes:

  • Leaving someone out on purpose
  • Telling others not to be friends with someone
  • Spreading rumors about someone
  • Embarrassing someone in public

Physical Bullying: hurting a person’s body or possessions, such as:

  • Hitting/kicking/pinching
  • Tripping/pushing/spitting
  • Taking or breaking someone’s things
  • Making mean or rude hand gestures

(Source: Stopbullying.gov)

 

IF YOU HAVE BEEN BULLIED:

1. Tell Someone, the following resources are available to help you.

  • Office of the Dean of Students: 719-255-3091
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC): 719-255-3319
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN CORRESPONDING WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN BULLIED: 

1. Practice the following advice.

DO

  • Tell someone. Whether you are the target or a witness, bullying behavior is counter to UCCS’ values and needs to be addressed in a way that results in the discontinuation of the bullying behavior.
  • All people should feel safe and welcomed at UCCS. You may be the target, you may be a firsthand witness, or you may have heard about something from someone else. In any case, please help create a safe and welcoming environment by responding to unacceptable behavior. You can let us know by filing out an CARE Concern, and we’ll determine how and whether a response is constructive.
  • Report the incident/expression to the CARE Team for possible response/resolution. In case you are the victim, depending on the severity, either university policy or the law may have been violated and the university should be made aware to take necessary actions to address the behavior.

DON’T

  • Ignore bullying. Such behavior may be considered harassment and create an environment that feels unsafe for people targeted by bullying. Much of this behavior may be prohibited in the Student Code of Conduct. Bullying should be reported and addressed appropriately.
  • Confront the source of the issue directly if you feel unsafe or unsure. Personal risk can be associated with this and you should feel safe before taking this step. The source can be someone close or someone you know well and the behavior or language may actually surprise you. If this is the case, you may wish to take the person aside to let her/him know your feelings in a non-confrontational way.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Office of the Dean of Students: 719-255-3091
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC): 719-255-3319
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

Demanding Behavior

Demanding people can be intrusive, persistent and demand a lot of time and attention. Traits can be associated with anxiety, agitated depression, and/or personality disorders, but also occur in the general population.

Some signs of demanding people: a sense of entitlement; an inability to empathize; a need to control; difficulty dealing with ambiguity; a strong drive for perfection; difficulty respecting structure, limits and rules; dependence on others to take care of them; fear of dealing with the realities of life; and persistence after hearing “no.”

 

WHEN INTERACTING WITH A DEMANDING PERSON:

1. Practice the following advice.

DO

  • If possible, talk to the individual in a safe and comfortable place.
  • Remain calm and in control of the situation.
  • Set clear limits and hold to them.
  • Clearly explain which behaviors are acceptable and which are unacceptable.
  • Be clear about the time you will give the person.
  • Request that they treat you with respect.
  • Contain disruptive behavior that disturbs the class, study group, office, etc.
  • Be aware of manipulative behavior.

DON’T

  • Argue with the person.
  • Accommodate inappropriate requests.
  • Ignore the negative impact it has on you and others.
  • Adjust your schedule to accommodate the person.
  • Feel obligated to take care of them.
  • Feel guilty about not doing more.
  • Allow the person to intimidate you.

2. Refer the person to resources that can address their needs. The following resource is available to help.

  • Office of the Dean of Students: 719-255-3091

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH A DEMANDING PERSON:

Practice the following advice.

DO

  • If possible, try and talk to the individual in a safe and comfortable place.
  • Listen. Let the person talk about their feelings regarding their experiences.
  • Be supportive and reassuring.
  • Respectively focus on the relevant information.

DON’T

  • Devalue the information or minimize the person’s concern.
  • Don’t judge or express personal bias.

2. Refer the person to the resource below for further assistance.

  • Office of the Dean of Students: 719-255-3091

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Depression

Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but clinical depression is much more than just sadness.

Depression engulfs a person’s day-to-day life, interfering with the ability to study, work, eat, sleep and have fun. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting. Depression is considered more severe when it interferes with the person’s ability to function. Without treatment, it can last weeks, months, even years.

Signs of depression: agitation; anxiety; anger; inconsistent class or work attendance; stops going out with friends and/or roommates; recurrent thoughts of destruction; preoccupation with death; and some have thoughts of suicide (See “Suicide” section for more information.) Fortunately, depression responds to treatment, with 80 to 90 % of those treated showing improvement.

 

IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED:

1. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN YOU OBSERVE A DEPRESSED PERSON:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • See the person in private when possible.
  • Mention that you’ve noticed they appear to be feeling down and that you want to help.
  • Encourage the person to talk about their feelings.
  • Listen closely to what the person is sharing.
  • Be supportive. Express your concern about the situation.
  • Be directive and concise about an action plan.
  • Initiate the action plan (e.g., having the person schedule a counseling appointment).

DON’T

  • Ignore the person.
  • Minimize the situation (e.g., by saying “everything will be better tomorrow”).
  • Argue with the person or chastise them for poor/incomplete work.
  • Provide too much information for the student to process and retain.
  • Expect the student to stop feeling depressed without some form of intervention.
  • Be afraid to ask whether the person is suicidal if you suspect the possibility.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Disabilities

A student, staff, or faculty member might disclose to you that they have a disability. A disability is a mental or physical condition that impacts a major life function. Working and learning are considered to be major life functions. To gain equitable access to the work or learning environment, people with disabilities might need accommodations.

For students, these accommodations can be any reasonable adjustments to the academic environment that address the barriers to learning, and assist students in achieving their academic and career aspirations. Information on students with learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and psychiatric/psychological disabilities can be found in sections that follow.

 

IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY:

1. Seek assistance. The following resource is available to help you.

  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN CORRESPONDING WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS A DISABILITY:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Listen to the person.
  • Acknowledge the difficulties the person is experiencing.
  • Ask clarifying questions to help understand the person’s needs and potential barriers.
  • Offer to help the person connect to resources on campus.

DON’T

  • Ask the person if they have a disability.
  • Assume the person knows that they may qualify for assistance.
  • Assume the person wants to receive assistance from Disability Services.
  • Pressure the person to acknowledge their disability.
  • Speak to the person in a derogatory manner.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Discrimination and Harassment

UCCS is committed to providing an environment where all individuals can achieve their academic and professional aspirations free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on protected class status. UCCS defines “protected classes” as race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, and political philosophy.

Discrimination occurs when an individual suffers a materially adverse consequence on the basis of their protected class status. This could include not receiving a promotion or receiving a lower grade based on your protected class status.

Harassment is verbal or physical conduct related to one's protected class status that unreasonably interferes with the individual's work or academic performance or creates an intimidating or hostile environment. This could include physically assaulting or repeatedly intimidating an individual based on their protected class or repeatedly directing racial or ethnic slurs at an individual.

Sexual harassment is also a type of harassment based on unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. This could include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct. Sexual harassment can also fall under UCCS’ Sexual Misconduct policy. There are two types of sexual harassment that occur:

  1. Quid Pro Quo ("This for That") This type of sexual harassment occurs when the terms or conditions of employment, educational benefits, academic grades or opportunities, living environment or participation in a University activity is conditioned upon, either explicitly or implicitly, submission to or rejection of unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, or such submission or rejection is a factor in decisions affecting that individual's employment, education, living environment or participation in a University program or activity.

  2. Hostile Environment Whether a hostile environment exists is determined from both a subjective and an objective perspective. The subjective perspective evaluates whether or not an individual experienced unwelcome sexual conduct. The objective perspective evaluates whether or not the unwelcome sexual conduct was, from the perspective of a reasonable person, sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with, limits, or deprives an individual from participating in or benefiting from the University's education or employment programs and/or activities.

 

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT:

1. Get to a safe place. If you are in immediate danger, please call the police:

  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Colorado Springs Police: 911

2. Document everything that happens. Include dates, times, locations, and a detailed description of what happened. Additionally, you can preserve evidence by keeping relevant voicemails, text messages, emails, letters, social media posts, or photos of injury or property damage.

3. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC): 719-255-3319
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

4. Submit an OIE Report.

 

WHEN YOU KNOW SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Speak up. If safe, you may choose to speak directly to the source in a non-confrontational way
  • Understand they may be feeling vulnerable and fearful.
  • Be supportive.
  • Advise the person to document the incident(s).
  • Offer to help the person connect with support resources on campus.

DON’T

  • Ignore or minimize discrimination or harassment.
  • Blame the person or tell them they are too sensitive.
  • Confront the person exhibiting discriminatory behavior directly unless you feel comfortable. By confronting an individual you may be putting yourself at risk, so make sure you feel safe before stepping in.
  • Assure the person you can ensure confidentiality. Once a mandatory reporter of the University knows about a report of discrimination or harassment, they must disclose it to the Office of Institutional Equity.

2. Refer the individual to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC): 719-255-3319
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

3. Submit an OIE report.

*As a reminder, if you are a mandatory reporter for the University, you must disclose any report of discrimination or harassment to the Office of Institutional Equity. You can fulfill this requirement by filling out the online incident reporting form or contact the office by email at equity@uccs.edu or by phone at 719-255-4324

Eating Disorders

Anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, other specific feeding and eating disorders (OSFED), and orthorexia are psychiatric diagnoses that involve a significant disturbance in the perception of body shape and weight, which leads to an abnormal or obsessive relationship with food, exercise and self-image.

Anorexia: the refusal to maintain minimally normal weight for age and height (weight less than 85% of expected); an intense fear of gaining weight; a denial of the severity of current low body weight; and an absence of monthly menstruation (in premenopausal women).

Binge Eating Disorder: BED is the most common eating disorder in America. Characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often quickly and to the point of discomfort), people suffering from BED often feel a loss of control during a binging episode and extreme shame and guilt following. For those with BED, binging is not often followed by purging.

Bulimia: characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, and enemas; fasting; and/or excessive exercise.

OSFED (Other Specific Feeding or Eating Disorder): have many of the characteristics of anorexia and/or bulimia without meeting the strict parameters of those diagnoses. Depression, anxiety, and substance abuse often accompany these disorders, and significant physical complications can also occur.

Orthorexia: Although not formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), the term “orthorexia” was coined in the late 1990s and refers to an obsession with proper, healthful, or “clean” eating. Although being nutritious-minded is not a problem in itself, people suffering from Orthorexia are so fixated on healthy eating that it negatively impacts their well-being and other areas of their lives, such as being unable to enjoy a meal out with friends and being hyper focused on the nutritional content of every food consumed.

If a person’s eating disorder risks their physical and emotional health, the person may need to leave school or work and enter intensive treatment. Some symptoms associated with eating disorders are significant weight loss (15% or more) from original body weight; the inability to concentrate; chronic fatigue; decreased strength of immune system and susceptibility to illness; an obsession with food that dominates the student’s life; extreme moodiness; excessive vulnerability to stress; tendency to socially withdraw; repetitive injuries and pain from compulsive/excessive exercise; and extreme perfectionism and/or rigidity.

 

IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE AN EATING DISORDER:

1. Seek assistance. The following resource is available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN CORRESPONDING WITH SOMEONE WHO SUFFERS FROM AN EATING DISORDER:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • When possible, speak to the person in private.
  • Be supportive. Express concern about the person's health. Provide specific examples of behaviors or symptoms that worry you.
  • Refer the person to campus resources for help.

DON'T

  • Assume that they can’t have an eating disorder because they are male.
  • Reassure a person that their obsessions are normal and therefore nothing to worry about.
  • Reassure a person about how they look by putting your own body/appearance down
  • Compliment the person’s weight loss or make comments about the person’s body in general
  • Attempt to give the person nutritional advice. People with eating disorders need professional assistance and should see a Registered Dietitian for nutritional help.
  • Scare the person into getting help. With eating disorders, fear seldom motivates change.
  • Make jokes about eating disorders or about people who are overweight.
  • Make positive comments about the person's weight loss. It's difficult to tell if you are rewarding healthy behaviors or encouraging a hidden disorder.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resource for further assistance.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

3. Submit a CARE Concern

Grief

When someone suffers a loss, it can sometimes lead to both emotional and physical impairment in functioning. Someone can experience grief as a response to either a symbolic loss (loss of physical health, ending of a relationship, etc) or as a result of the death of a significant person. People may deal with the death of a parent, sibling, friend or classmate. An entire campus may grieve the death of a beloved professor or classmate.

Regaining equilibrium, meaning and a sense of order may help someone who grieves endure the sadness. Those experiencing grief tend to function better within an already established support system (e.g., family, friends). Grief is a natural process but may become complicated (e.g., the person may become depressed and unable to function), and therefore need some type of therapeutic intervention.

 

IF YOU ARE GRIEVING:

1. Seek assistance. The following resource is available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN TALKING WITH SOMEONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING GRIEF:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Ask if the person wants to talk about the death or loss.
  • Support any type of reaction (e.g., some people may not cry, but feel guilty about this; others may feel that constant crying is "not normal"). Grieving takes many forms.
  • Listen carefully. This can help a person gain an understanding of their feelings and clarify options for dealing with them.
  • Allow the person to set boundaries around if and when they choose to share about their loss with you. Some days may be easier than others to share.
  • Encourage the person to be with family and friends, which may mean taking time away from the university.
  • Recognize that spiritual and religious doubts can be triggered and are normal; if it seems appropriate, suggest talking to a religious leader.
  • If appropriate, you may suggest ways the person can give meaning to the event by memorializing the loss (e.g., planting a flower or tree; writing a letter/poem/eulogy; creating a memory book; making a quilt, etc.).
  • Be aware that family may be urging the person to stay at school or work, even though the person longs to be at home (particularly with the death or imminent death of a parent).
  • Be aware that family may be urging the person to leave school or work, even though the person longs to remain at school or work to maintain a sense of routine or security.

DON'T

  • Assume you know how the person is feeling. Avoid saying, "I know how you feel."
  • Assume the person will “fall apart” because of the loss.
  • Feel pressure to "say the right thing" or break silences. Your support is a comfort.
  • Force discussion about death and loss.
  • Minimize the loss.
  • Judge the person's response to death and loss.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resource for further assistance.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Hazing

By definition, hazing is a process that involves persecution and harassment with meaningless, difficult, dangerous or humiliating tasks. At times, the person who is joining a campus-affiliated organization doesn’t know that hazing is part of the initiation process until it actually happens. Many people choose to keep hazing a secret to stay in the organization or because they fear retaliation. Hazing is illegal. Someone who has been hazed is the victim of a crime.

 

WHEN YOU KNOW SOMEONE IS A VICTIM OF HAZING:

1. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Office of the Dean of Students: 719-255-3091
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Student Life: 719-255-3540

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN TALKING WITH SOMEONE WHO IS BEING HAZED:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • When possible, see the person in private.
  • Be aware the person may be vulnerable and experiencing a wide range of emotions.
  • Encourage the person to report the incident to UCCS Police.
  • Offer to help the person access campus support services.

DON'T

  • Blame the person.
  • Minimize the hazing incident.
  • Agree to be bound by confidentiality

2. Recommend and refer to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Office of the Dean of Students: 719-255-3091
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Student Life: 719-255-3540

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Intimate Partner Abuse

Intimate Partner Abuse is a form of sexual misconduct which is prohibited by the University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement (APS) 5014: Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Abuse and Stalking.

Intimate partner abuse is defined as any act of violence or threatened act of violence against a person with whom the individual is or has been involved in a sexual or dating relationship when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge. This includes, but is not limited to, assault, threats, and intentional property damage. This also includes acts of violence or threatened acts of violence against oneself and/or against the family members, friends, or pets of the sexual or dating partner. Acts of violence may be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological in nature.

It is important to remember that individuals can be impacted by intimate partner abuse regardless of their age, gender, or sexual orientation.

Signs You Are In An Abusive Relationship:

Verbal abuse; isolation from friends and loved ones; fear of the partner’s temper; fear of abandonment by the partner; accepting the partner’s controlling behavior; fear of intimidation; the distortion of the partner’s hurtful behavior; assuming responsibility for the partner’s abusive behavior; self-doubt; feeling trapped; and fear of leaving.

Signs Someone Else Might Be In An Abusive Relationship:

Clothing could change to disguise evidence of physical abuse; significantly less social; noticeably less confident; they are attached to their phone when not near partner; they are constantly put down or criticized by their partner; they are sad, worried, and stressed out about their relationship; they are worried about their partner’s anger or scared of their partner’s unpredictability; they are giving up things that are important to them because of their relationship.

 

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP:

1. Get to a safe place. If you are in immediate danger, please call the police:

  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Colorado Springs Police: 911

2. Document everything that happens. Include dates, times, locations, and a detailed description of what happened. Additionally, you can preserve evidence by keeping relevant voicemails, text messages, emails, letters, social media posts, or photos of injury or property damage.

3. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC): 719-255-3319 (We understand that accessing resources might be a barrier due to stigma around various social and or cultural identities you may hold. MOSAIC is a safe and affirming place and can serve as your advocate to connect you to important campus resources.)
  • TESSA (community partner): 719-633-3819

4. Submit an OIE Report.

 

WHEN YOU KNOW SOMEONE IS IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP:

1. Utilize the following advice

DO

  • Speak with the person in private if possible.
  • Understand they may be feeling vulnerable and fearful.
  • Be supportive. Being a victim of intimate partner abuse involves many psychological factors.
  • Be aware that it may be hard for an individual to leave a relationship because of feelings of denial or misrepresentation of the relationship.
  • Encourage the person to connect with family, friends or other support systems (e.g., victims’ advocacy, police services).
  • Talk about safety planning and what they would do if they were in immediate danger.

DON’T

  • Ignore or minimize the situation.
  • Speak to the person in a derogatory manner.
  • Lecture the person about their poor judgment.
  • Tell them exactly what they should do, but give them support in reaching out to resources.
  • Attack the abuser as a person, but talk about concerning behaviors.
  • Force them into making a decision.

2. Refer the individual to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC): 719-255-3319
  • TESSA (community partner): 719-633-3819

3. Submit an OIE Report.

*As a reminder, if you are a mandatory reporter for the University, you must disclose any report of intimate partner abuse to the Office of Institutional Equity. You can fulfill this requirement by filling out the online incident reporting form or contact the office by email at equity@uccs.edu or by phone at 719-255-4324.

Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

People with learning disabilities may have had long-term difficulty in reading, writing, spelling, and/or mathematical concepts, but their verbal skills may far exceed those academic skills. Sometimes they need some “think time” to respond to a question, retrieve information or solve a problem, and/or have difficulty recalling and integrating spoken information.

In an academic or professional setting, people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may have difficulty sustaining attention and following through on instructions or completing a task; tend to lose things easily; frequently forget appointments; often interrupt or intrude on others; blurt out answers before questions have been completed; appear restless; seem not to listen when spoken to directly; and tend to be active and creative.

In cases of learning disorders, ADHD, and/or psychiatric disabilities, people may not be aware that there are treatments and accommodations available for the symptoms that are interfering with their lives.

 

IF YOU HAVE A LEARNING DISABILITY:

1. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN YOU SUSPECT A PERSON MAY HAVE A LEARNING DISABILITY:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Speak to the person in private about your concerns.
  • Acknowledge the difficulties the person is experiencing.

DON’T

  • Ask the person if they have a disability.
  • Assume the person knows that they may qualify for assistance.
  • Assume the person wants to receive assistance from Disability Services.
  • Pressure the person to acknowledge their disability.
  • Speak to the person in a derogatory manner.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Poor Contact with Reality

These people have difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality. Their thinking is typically illogical, confused, or irrational (e.g., jumping from one topic to another with no connection). Their emotional responses may be incongruent or inappropriate. Behavior may be bizarre and disturbing, such as hallucinations and hearing voices. Academic work or performance may be unintelligible (using words that don’t make sense). While these people may alarm or frighten you, they are generally not dangerous or violent.

 

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU’RE EXPERIENCING POOR CONTACT WITH REALITY:

1. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN ENCOUNTERING SOMEONE WHO APPEARS TO BE OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • If the person is an immediate danger to themselves or others, call UCCS Police.
  • Acknowledge their feelings or fears without supporting the misconceptions (e.g., “I understand you think someone is following you, and it must seem real to you, but I don’t see anyone and I believe you’re safe.”).
  • Remove extra stimulation (e.g., step outside the classroom, office, turn off the radio, etc.).
  • Acknowledge your concerns and verbalize that they need help.
  • Acknowledge your difficulty in understanding. Ask for clarification.
  • Respond with warmth and kindness, but use firm reasoning.
  • Focus on the here and now.
  • Be aware that the person may lack emotions, exhibit intense emotions, be extremely fearful, possibly paranoid, not understand you or understand only pieces of what is being said.

DON’T

  • Crowd the person’s space.
  • Assume the person will be able to take care of themselves.
  • Agitate the student. Be flexible in how you precede with the person.
  • Argue with the person’s erroneous thought processes. Trying to convince them of the irrationality of their thinking commonly produces a stronger defense of a false perception.
  • Play along (e.g., “Oh, yes, I hear the voices, too.”). Don’t encourage further discussion.
  • Don’t demand the person to do something to change her/his perceptions.
  • Chase after a person who decides to run. Call UCCS Police for emergency assistance.
  • Allow a person’s friends to take care of the person without getting a professional opinion.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resource for further assistance.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Psychiatric Disabilities

People with psychiatric disabilities have a persistent psychological condition that can impair their ability to learn, interact socially and work. Conditions include: serious clinical depression; bipolar disorder; certain anxiety disorders; and post-traumatic stress disorder. In cases of learning disorders, attention deficit disorder, and/or psychiatric disabilities, people may not be aware that there are campus resources available.

 

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITY:

1. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

WHEN YOU SUSPECT A PERSON MAY HAVE A PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITY:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Speak to the person in private about your concerns.
  • Acknowledge the difficulties the person is experiencing.

DON’T

  • Assume the person knows they may qualify for assistance.
  • Assume the person wants to receive assistance.
  • Pressure the person to acknowledge their disability.
  • Speak to the person in a derogatory manner.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resource for further assistance.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • Disability Services: 719-255-3354

3. Submit a CARE Concern.

Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault is a form of sexual misconduct which is prohibited by the University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement (APS) 5014: Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Abuse and Stalking. Sexual Assault can include both nonconsensual sexual intercourse as well as nonconsensual sexual contact.

Nonconsensual Sexual Intercourse is defined as any sexual intercourse, however slight, with any object, by any person upon another person that is without affirmative consent. Intercourse includes vaginal penetration by a penis, object, tongue or finger; anal penetration by a penis, object, tongue or finger; and oral copulation (mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact), no matter how slight the penetration or contact.

Nonconsensual Sexual Contact is defined as any intentional sexual touching, however slight, with any object, by any person upon another person that is without affirmative consent including by force. Sexual contact includes intentional contact with the breasts, buttocks, groin, or genitals, or touching another with any of these body parts, or making another touch you or themselves with or on any of these body parts; or any other intentional bodily contact in a sexual manner.

Consent is not effectively given if it results from the use of force, including threats, or intimidation, or if it is from someone who is incapacitated:

  • Force is the use of physical violence or imposing on someone physically to gain sexual access.
  • Threats exist where a reasonable person would have been compelled by the words or actions of another to give permission to sexual contact she or he would not otherwise have given. For example, threats to kill or harm someone, kill or harm themselves, or to kill or harm someone for whom a person cares constitute threats.
  • Intimidation occurs when someone uses physical presence to menace another, although no physical contact occurs, or where knowledge of prior violent behavior by an assailant, coupled with menacing behavior, places someone in fear as an implied threat.

It is important to remember that silence, previous sexual relationships, or the existence of a current relationship do not imply consent. Consent can also be withdrawn at any time and consent to some forms of sexual activity does not automatically imply consent to other forms.

Understandably, after a sexual assault occurs, it can be hard for an individual to report it. Many times, sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim and may have involved alcohol. One thing is certain, incidents of sexual assault are against the law and violate University policy.

UCCS defines affirmative consent as the unambiguous and voluntary agreement to engage in a specific sexual activity. Consent is clear, knowing and voluntary words or actions that create mutually understandable clear permission of willingness to engage in, and the conditions of, sexual activity. Consent must be active; silence by itself cannot be interpreted as consent.

 

IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED A SEXUAL ASSAULT OR UNWELCOME PHYSICAL CONTACT:

1. Get to a safe place. If you are in immediate danger, please call the police:

  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Colorado Springs Police: 911

2. If necessary, Seek Medical Attention.

To get a Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE), visit the Memorial Hospital at 1400 E. Boulder St. You can get a SANE without filing a police report.

3. Preserve Evidence

This can include physical items, such as clothing or bedsheets, screenshots of digital evidence, such as text messages or social media posts, or writing down you memories while they are still clear.

4. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

5. Submit an OIE Report.

 

WHEN YOU BECOME AWARE THAT A PERSON HAS EXPERIENCED A SEXUAL ASSAULT OR HAS BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF INAPPROPRIATE AND/OR UNWELCOME PHYSICAL CONTACT:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Be aware that when a person discloses information about an assault to you, they are demonstrating trust in you.
  • Be aware that victims can feel different emotions including shame and anger towards themselves. Listen without conveying judgment.
  • When possible, speak to the person in private.
  • Refer the person to UCCS Police if the person wants to make a police report. Know that if they have been drinking underage or on campus, they are still encouraged to call the police without fear of punishment for those offences.
  • Refer the person to the Office of Institutional Equity if they would like more information on administrative reporting.
  • Refer the person to the Wellness Center if they would like to talk with someone confidentially.

DON’T

  • Minimize the situation.
  • Convey negative judgment even when high-risk behavior, such as intoxication, is involved.
  • Put extra pressure on the person to make a police report.
  • Tell other people about the incident, except for those who need to know. If you need to tell others, such as the Office of Institutional Equity, it is important to keep the information private.
  • Assure the person you can ensure confidentiality. Once a mandatory reporter of the University knows about a report of sexual assault, they must disclose it to the Office of Institutional Equity.

2. Refer the individual to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

3. Submit an OIE Report.

*As a reminder, if you are a mandatory reporter for the University, you must disclose any report of sexual assault to the Office of Institutional Equity. You can fulfill this requirement by filling out the online incident reporting form or contact the office by email at equity@uccs.edu or by phone at 719-255-4324.

Stalking

Stalking is a form of sexual misconduct which is prohibited by the University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement (APS) 5014: Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Abuse and Stalking.

Stalking is defined as directly or indirectly through another person, repeatedly following, approaching, contacting, placing under surveillance or making any form of communication with another person, a member of that person’s immediate family, or someone with whom that person has or has had a continuing relationship in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to: (a) fear for the individual’s safety or the safety of others; or (b) suffer substantial emotional distress, including causing a person to respond by altering their activities.

Some forms of stalking behavior could include, non-consensual communication, sending unwanted gifts, repeated physical closeness, repeated episodes of staring, using tracking technology, or making threats.

People who stalk can be very dangerous and their behaviors can escalate over time. Many individuals struggle with how to respond to a stalker, but one should trust their instincts. It is important to remember that while victims cannot control the stalking behavior, they can feel empowered to take steps to keep themselves, their families, and their loved ones safe.

 

IF YOU ARE FEELING UNSAFE AND FRIGHTENED AROUND ANOTHER PERSON:

1. Get to a safe place. If you are in immediate danger, please call the police:

  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Colorado Springs Police: 911

2. Document everything that happens. Include dates, times, locations, and a detailed description of what happened. Additionally, you can preserve evidence by keeping relevant voicemails, text messages, emails, letters, gifts, or other objects sent to you.

3. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

4. Submit an OIE Report.

 

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS FEELING UNSAFE AND FRIGHTENED AROUND ANOTHER PERSON:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Encourage the person to trust their instincts.
  • Refer the person to UCCS Police to file a report.
  • Advise the person to document the incident(s) and save all correspondence, even if they don’t want to make a report at this time. Information may be used as evidence in the future.
  • Offer to help the person connect with support resources on campus.
  • Remind the person about Safety Escorts through UCCS Police.

DON’T

  • Ignore or minimize the situation.
  • Blame the person for prompting the stalking behavior.
  • Feel responsible for protecting the person.

2. Refer the individual to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Office of Institutional Equity: 719-255-4324
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111
  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

3. Submit an OIE Report.

*As a reminder, if you are a mandatory reporter for the University, you must disclose any report of stalking behavior to the Office of Institutional Equity. You can fulfill this requirement by filling out the online incident reporting form or contact the office by email at equity@uccs.edu or by phone at 719-255-4324.

Substance Abuse

There are many environmental and social pressures that influence college students to use alcohol, cannabis, and/or other drugs. For some, coming to college may be the first time they experiment with alcohol and other substances. Some may learn how to have positive experiences with substance use and be able to balance their use with the demands of being a college student. Others may find that their substance use is overtaking their ability to succeed in school or meet the expectations or adult life.

Signs of abusing alcohol and/or other substances include:

  • Failure to fulfill obligations at school and work (e.g., absences, tardiness, incomplete assignments, performing below potential)
  • Substance use in situations when it’s physically hazardous (e.g., driving under the influence, date or acquaintance rape, sexual harassment)
  • Substance-related legal problems (e.g., illegally possessing or selling drugs, fighting, damaging property)
  • Continued use despite recurrent social or interpersonal problems (e.g., losing friends, significant others, family members)
  • Continued use despite repeated harmful consequences (e.g., placed on academic probation, losing a part-time job, being arrested)
  • Prioritizing substance use over financial obligations (e.g. not being able to afford rent or pay bills because of use)

 

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUBSTANCE ABUSE

1. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

IF YOU KNOW OF A PERSON WITH A DRINKING AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEM:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Treat the situation as serious, but withhold judgment. Be objective.
  • Be aware that the use of substances is not based on logic. Lecturing isn’t effective.
  • Hold the person responsible for their behaviors and assignments.
  • Be aware that denial is powerful and includes conscious and unconscious lying, distortions and delusions (at times).
  • Be aware that for a person who is addicted to a substance, cravings or hunger for the substance may be increased by stress.
  • Be honest and tell the person you are worried about their substance use.
  • Be aware that a person who is addicted to substances may reject your help and/or distance themselves from you in order to preserve their lifestyle
  • Be aware that a person addicted to substances or drugs may take advantage of supportive people in their lives. Know your limits. Do not let supporting a friend impact your own emotional or financial wellbeing
  • Be aware that the more a person is exposed to treatment opportunities, the better chance they will be motivated to change behavior.
  • Call 911 if you are worried a person is overdosing, has alcohol poisoning, or you are otherwise concerned about their immediate safety
  • Know that substance abuse can coexists with depression and suicidal thoughts or actions. Seek help if you are worried about their mental health or personal safety.
  • Be aware that people in recovery may disengage from previous friend groups and activities they used to be involved with
  • Know that recovery from addiction is a life-long process that is not a straight path for anyone; recovering addicts may relapse into drug or alcohol abuse again

DON’T

  • Make light of drug and drinking stories.
  • Tell your personal stories of party days.
  • Engage in drug use or drinking with the person.
  • Assume college drug and alcohol experimentation is harmless.
  • Enable the substance use by excusing behavior, or providing alcohol, drugs, or money

2. Recommend and refer to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

Suicide

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. Someone in trouble may not ask for help, but that doesn’t mean that help isn’t wanted. Suicide may result from distorted rational thinking and decision-making, not from a lack of character or moral weakness. Usually people who engage in suicidal behaviors or acts don’t want to die, they just want to be free of the pain.

Approximately 80% of people who have engaged in suicidal acts have sent out warning signs to those around them. Suicidal ideation (thoughts) and behaviors can be triggered by a stressful event or major crisis, such as the death of a family member or friend, end of a significant relationship, or being academically dismissed from school. It is important to remember that what makes events stressful is individualized, what may seem relatively trivial to one person may seem devastating to another.

High-risk signs of suicidal intent: negative perceptions of self-and/or life; intense feelings of hopelessness, unbearable pain, and/or perceived burdensomeness; feelings of alienation and isolation; possessing lethal means; a personal and/or family history of depression; previous suicidal acts; history of self-harming acts; history of substance abuse; sudden and unusually relief or improvement from pain and/or situation; and giving away prized possessions.

A person experiencing suicidality is often intensely ambivalent about killing themselves and is usually open to talking about their suicidal concerns. People at greater risk of engaging in lethal suicide acts may talk about or frequently write about death, research ways to kill themselves and/or have a specific plan for taking their own life, have the means to carry out the act (e.g., medication, knives, firearms), may have substance abuse issues, and tend to be socially isolated.

Imminent danger signs: highly disruptive behavior (hostility, aggression); inability to communicate clearly (disjointed thoughts, slurred speech); loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things not there, beliefs at odds with reality); suicide plan (suicide is a current option); or suicidal/homicidal threats. In such cases, call UCCS Police.

If someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, suicide ideation, and/or engaging in suicidal behaviors and wants to talk to someone anonymously, the Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention 1-844-493-TALK is a free, 24-hour service for anyone in crisis, emotional distress or just needing someone to listen or talk to. You can also text “TALK” to 38255.

 

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDALITY:

1. Seek assistance. The following resources are available to help you.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111

2. Submit a CARE Concern.

 

IF YOU SUSPECT A PERSON IS EXPERIENCING SUICIDALITY:

1. Utilize the following advice.

DO

  • Call UCCS Police if you believe the person is in immediate danger.
  • Be direct. Ask the person if they are feeling suicidal, if they have a plan, and if they have the means to carry out that plan. This type of communication may decrease the impulse to engage in suicidal behaviors (at least temporarily as it relieves the pressure).
  • Be non-judgmental. Acknowledge the threat as a plea for help.
  • Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
  • Be supportive. Express your concern about the situation. Let the person know that their life is important and help is available.
  • Reassure the person things can be better. Offer to help the person take steps to get professional assistance.
  • If possible, walk the person to the Wellness Center.
  • Don’t be worried that you’re overreacting. Many of the warning signs for suicide could also indicate other problems that still need professional intervention. When in doubt, report.

DON’T

  • Act shocked. This will put distance between you. All threats need to be handled as potentially lethal.
  • Argue or debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life. This encourages defensiveness.
  • Minimize the situation or offer ways to fix their problems. This will not help.
  • Be afraid to ask the person about their intent and/or plans of suicide.
  • Be sworn to secrecy.
  • Over commit yourself and not be able to deliver what you promised.
  • Allow the person’s friends to take care of the them without seeking professional help.
  • Blame yourself.

2. Recommend and refer to the following resources for further assistance.

  • Wellness Center: 719-255-4444
  • UCCS Police: 719-255-3111

3. Submit a CARE Concern.