Northern Lights College Student Guide

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 5

STUDENT GUIDE

Helping Someone in Distress


Disclaimer: It is your choice to help someone and you have
no legal obligation to do so.

1 IDENTIFY
Pay attention to warning signs.
You may be the first person to notice a
person in distress.

2 REFLECT
Determine the level of concern.

3 RESPOND
Connect the person in distress to help.
Remember that any response is better
than staying silent.

You don’t have to be a mental health expert to make a difference.


Everyone can play a role in ensuring student wellbeing.
APPROACH
1 IDENTIFY
“I’ve noticed that you
is someone in distress?
don’t seem to talk
to anyone when
we go out anymore.”
POSSIBLE SIGNS OF DISTRESS:
LISTEN
• Notable changes in behaviour
“Is everything alright?
• Withdrawn or isolated from friends, family Is there anything I can
• Seems to rely on drugs or alcohol help you with?”

• Doesn’t take care of themselves anymore SUPPORT


• Doesn’t seem to enjoy activities they used to
enjoy
“It sounds like you are
• Reckless behaviour feeling overwhelmed.”
• Unusual behaviour (unexplained crying or
laughter, confusion, seems paranoid)
• Takes out frustrations on others (bullying,
harassment, outbursts, sexual assault, etc.)
• Has been a victim of bullying, abuse, sexual
assault, harassment, or discrimination APPROACH
• Self-harming, such as hitting or cutting
Be specific about the behavior you have observed,
and don’t be afraid to express concern.
• Low energy or falling asleep at inappropriate
times
LISTEN
• Struggles with sleeping Ask if there is anything you can do to help.
• Drastic changes in eating habits Be a patient listener.
• Has mentioned feeling ‘hopeless’ or considering
suicide SUPPORT
Don’t say “You’ll get over it” or “Everything will be
okay” but instead acknowledge the other person’s
feelings and let them know that you want to help.
RESPOND 3
connect to appropriate resources

CALL 911 FIRST, THEN THE DUTY MANAGER

2 REFLECT Duty Manager


Campus Security
(4:00pm - 3:00am)
what is the level of concern? (24hrs) Dawson Creek Fort St. John
250-784-7610 1-866-463-6652 ext.1299 250-787-6237
Cell 250-784-8202 Cell 250-261-4119

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS AND REASSESS IF THINGS CHANGE


If you feel threatened or at risk, get somewhere safe.
EMERGENCY: IMMEDIATE RISK OF HARM
Behaviour that is violent, destructive, harmful, aggressive or
CALL THE LEARNING SUPPORT SPECIALIST
threatening to self or others (I.e. immediate risk of suicide)
Learning Support Specialist
(8:30am - 4:30pm)
URGENT: RISK OF HARM IS PRESENT BUT NOT IMMEDIATE
Dawson Creek Fort St. John &
Hopelessness, experiences of violence or abuse, thoughts of Chetwynd, Fort Nelson online students
suicide, or other urgent mental health issues Tumbler Ridge 250-787-6244
250-784-7552 Cell 250-219-4839

CONCERNING: DISTRESSED BUT RISK OF HARM IS LOW AFTER HOURS


Homesickness, loneliness, depression, anxiety, grief, anger, Offer to stay while they make the call, or offer to make the call for them
if they are reluctant.
relationship problems, academic concerns, substance use Northern BC Crisis Line BC First Nation Crisis Line
1-888-562-1214 1-800-588-8717

BC Suicide Line Online Crisis Chat


1-800-SUICIDE crisiscentrechat.ca

Still not sure what to do?


When in doubt, call the Learning Support Specialist! CONNECT TO SUPPORT
DC: 250-784-7552 FSJ: 250-787-6244 (c. 250-219-4839)
Do not trick or force someone into connecting to support.
If they refuse help, respect their choice and remind them
that you are always willing to talk.

View supports on
the next page
OFF-CAMPUS SUPPORT
If you are located outside of the areas listed below, please call 250-787-6244 for assistance.
FOOD BANKS & SOUP KITCHENS SHELTERS & ESCAPING ABUSE
Dawson Creek Dawson Creek
Nawican Soup Kitchen 1320 102 Ave Mitzpah Transition House 250-782-9174
ON-CAMPUS SUPPORT Mon/Wed/Fri 12-2pm 250-782-5202 Shelter for women/children

St. Marks Soup Kitchen 1029 106 Ave Aspen Court 250-782-9886
LEARNING SUPPORT Tues/Thurs 12-2pm 250-782-2939
Fort St. John
Dawson Creek 250-784-7552 Salvation Army 1019 103 Ave Salvation Army Centre of Hope 9824 99 Ave
Fort St John 250-787-6244 Emergency Food Bank 250-782-8669 No drop-ins on Sunday 250-785-0372
Fort St John Cell 250-219-4839 Fort St. John Meaope Transition House 250-785-5208
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen 9824 99 Ave Shelter for women/children
Mon-Sat 12-1pm, 5pm 250-785-0372
Tumbler Ridge
ACCESS SERVICES Tumbler Ridge Women’s Outreach Program 250-242-2082
New Life Assembly Church 250-242-7404
All Campuses 250-784-7502 Chetwynd
Cell 250-784-5450 Chetwynd Women’s Shelter 250-788-1976
Emergency Food Program 250-788-9658
Fort Nelson
Tansi Friendship Centre 250-788-2996 Women’s Shelter 250-774-4511
ABORIGINAL STUDENT ADVISORS Fort Nelson Emergency Men’s Shelter (19+) 4903 48 Ave
Dawson Creek 250-784-7544 Aboriginal Friendship Society 5012 49 Ave 250-774-3816
Chetwynd 1-866-463-6652 ext. 4313 250-774-2993 HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTIONS BC Health Link 811
Fort St. John 1-866-463-6652 ext. 2003
BC Mental Health Support 310-6789 STI Tests, Free Condoms, Pregnancy Tests,
Fort Nelson 1-866-463-6652 ext. 4627 Emergency Contraception, Birth Control
Northern Health Mental Health & Addictions Dawson Creek Health Unit 250-719-6500
Dawson Creek 250-719-6525 Fort St. John Health Unit 250-263-6000
Fort St. John 250-263-6080 Chetwynd Primary Care Clinic 250-788-7300
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISORS Tumbler Ridge 250-242-5505 Fort Nelson Health Unit 250-774-7092
Dawson Creek 1-866-463-6652 ext. 1015 Chetwynd 250-788-2236
Fort Nelson 250-774-8105 VICTIM SERVICES
Dawson Creek Cell 250-219-4536 Dease Lake 250-771-4473 VictimLink BC 1-800-563-0808
Fort St. John 1-866-463-6652 ext. 6212 Atlin 250-651-7677 Dawson Creek 250-782-9174
Fort St. John 250-785-6021
1-866-463-6652 ext. 6217 Other Free Counselling Tumbler Ridge 250-242-5252
Dawson Creek Chetwynd 250-788-9440
Aboriginal Family Services 250-782-1169 Fort Nelson 250-774-4511

FINANCIAL AID Chetwynd HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION


Tansi Friendship Centre 250-788-2996 Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek 250-784-7604 SPCRS 250-782-9174
Chetwynd & Tumbler Ridge 1-866-463-6652 ext. 2248 Fort Nelson Native Housing Society 250-782-1451
Aboriginal Friendship Society 250-774-2993
Fort St. John 1-866-463-6652 ext. 6238 Fort Nelson First Nation 250-774-7300 Fort St. John
Fort Nelson 1-866-463-6652 ext. 4640 Community Bridge 250-785-6021
Addictions Information
Alcohol & Drug Info & Referral 1-800-663-1441 Tumbler Ridge
BC Problem Gambling Line 1-888-795-6111 TR Cares 250-242-7444

Chetwynd
Tansi Friendship Centre 250-788-2996
17.03.13-CM

You might also like