{"id":57,"date":"2022-06-09T15:52:08","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T20:52:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/redfolder\/?page_id=57"},"modified":"2026-03-26T11:54:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:54:54","slug":"respond","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/redfolder\/respond\/","title":{"rendered":"Respond"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The following are tips on how to respond to signs of distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading default\" id=\"show-you-care\">1. Show you care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Remove distractions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be patient and listen for understanding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintain eye contact<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask what they need<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Summarize what they say<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer help where you can<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Let them know you are there for them<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Listen carefully and acknowledge student&#8217;s pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stay safe: If there is an imminent danger to you, the student or someone else, call 911.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask direct questions: Don&#8217;t be afraid to directly ask the student if they are having thoughts of harming or killing themselves or others. By asking you are not instilling the thought.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--4 uwm-l-offset--1\">\n<div class=\"uwm-p-card uwm-p-card--gold uwm-u-mb-40\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--body\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading size-h4\">Conversation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"size-p-fixed wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cI\u2019ve been worried about you. Is everything ok?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cHow can I help?&nbsp; It seems like you\u2019ve had some challenges these past few weeks.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading default\" id=\"say-what-you-see\">2. Say what you see<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be direct.&nbsp; Express your concerns directly and honestly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Briefly acknowledge your observations and perceptions of their situation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stick to the facts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don\u2019t make assumptions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Describe the changes you have noticed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask if they are ok<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Listen!&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--4 uwm-l-offset--1\">\n<div class=\"uwm-p-card uwm-p-card--gold uwm-u-mb-40\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--body\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading size-h4\">Conversation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"size-p-fixed wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cI noticed you missed the last few classes and wanted to check in.&nbsp; Is everything ok?\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cYou looked very tired the last few classes and have missed the last two assignments.&nbsp; Is there anything you want to talk about?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading default\" id=\"hear-them-out\">3. Hear them out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stay calm:&nbsp; Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Listen!&nbsp; Listen carefully and acknowledge the student\u2019s pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Give your full attention:&nbsp; Be present and patient, taking the time needed to make sure you understand what is causing the distress and what they are asking for<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be curious. Ask questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Affirm their feelings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Let them know they are not alone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--4 uwm-l-offset--1\">\n<div class=\"uwm-p-card uwm-p-card--gold uwm-u-mb-40\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--body\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading size-h4\">Conversation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"size-p-fixed wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cThat sounds really challenging. I would like to hear more about how you\u2019ve been feeling.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focus on active listening Try not to jump to problem-solving right away.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cIt sounds like you are really overwhelmed.&nbsp; Is there anything I can do to help?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading default\" id=\"connect-to-help\">4. Connect to help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Determine the need and appropriate resources available<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disclose that you cannot guarantee complete confidentiality; you will need to appropriately share information student tells you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reaffirm your support and care<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connect them to resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-buttons--full\">\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--full uwm-c-button--icon-right uwm-c-button--icon-arrow uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/redfolder\/refer\/\" rel=\"\">Refer<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--4 uwm-l-offset--1\">\n<div class=\"uwm-p-card uwm-p-card--gold uwm-u-mb-40\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--body\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading size-h4\">Conversation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"size-p-fixed wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cIt sounds like you\u2019ve really been struggling and I\u2019m worried about you.&nbsp; Have you thought about reaching out to the UW Mental Health Support line available 24\/7 where you can call, text, or chat to connect with a crisis responder.\u201d&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cThank you for sharing your experience.&nbsp; I\u2019m not an expert in this area, but I think Counseling Services could help.&nbsp; Would it be okay if we give them a call and ask about scheduling an appointment?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"default\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The following are tips on how to respond to signs of distress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"class_list":["post-57","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Respond - Red Folder Initiative<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how to respond to students in distress at 51ÁÔÆæ. 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