This guide was created to help faculty in their efforts to support students and their mental health. It was created from a lens of helping students flourish and thrive first, and then being able to help them through a range of challenges by referring them to the appropriate resources on campus. It is not meant as a training guide or expectation that faculty will take on the direct role of providing guidance or therapy, but rather be equipped with the information to get students the help they need to address their specific challenge(s).
With the lens outlined above, here is a “Table of Contents” for this guide:
- Section 1: Pedagogical Wellness - Cultivating Well-Being in the Classroom
Tips on helping students flourish and thrive, through a pedagogical approach to creating a culture of wellbeing. - Section 2: Campus Wellness Resources for Students
Early intervention resources to help you find the right resource for students who may be experiencing minor and/or “low-level” challenge(s). - Section 3: Tips and Resources on Conflict Resolution
Resources to help you navigate conflict resolution for and/or between students, faculty and staff. - Section 4: Approaching Students in Distress or Those with Mental Health Challenges
Resources to help you navigate situations where students are experiencing more serious or “high-level” challenge(s).
Section 1: Pedagogical Wellness - Cultivating Well-Being in the Classroom
Pedagogical wellness is the art and science of integrating evidence-based wellness strategies into the teaching and learning environment to support the health and well-being of faculty and students. As we reintegrate back into teaching and learning on campus, we encourage being mindful of faculty and student well-being in the process of course design, teaching, and learning. These approaches in the classroom are meant to improve both student and faculty health outcomes, decrease stressors in the teaching/learning environment, and facilitate community among faculty and students.
- Top Pedagogical Wellness Tips (Updated Feb 2023)
- UCI Resources:
- Additional External Resources
- Well-being in Learning Environments - Healthy Campus Community - Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca)
- Faculty Guidebook: Understanding Mindfulness for Wellbeing – Pratt Institute Center for Teaching and Learning
- Well-Being for Life & Learning | Husky Health & Well-Being (uw.edu)
- Washington University in St. Louis | Well-Being in Learning Environments
Section 2: Campus Wellness Resources for Students
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Early Intervention/Prevention Strategies
- For students experiencing academic challenges and/or struggles
- Academic Advisor(s)
- LARC: https://larc.uci.edu/
- Academic Support Programs within each School
- For students experiencing personal challenges and/or struggles
- Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion (for topics listed below)
Center Website: https://studentwellness.uci.edu/Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Sexual and Relationship Health (Note: relationships can include intimate partner, family, roommate, etc.)
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Nutrition/Body Image/Disordered Eating
- Student Affinity/Identity Centers for students who may be struggling to connect
- Cross Cultural Center: https://ccc.uci.edu/
- LGBT Resource Center: https://lgbtrc.uci.edu/
- International Student Center: https://ic.uci.edu/
- Dream Center: https://dream.uci.edu/
- Latinx Resource Center: https://latinx.uci.edu/
- Asian/Pacific Islander Center (coming soon)
- Center for Black Cultures, Resources and Research: https://blackcultures.uci.edu/
- Womxn's Center for Success: https://womxnscenter.uci.edu/
- Transfer Resource Center: https://transfercenter.uci.edu/
- Campus Organizations for students looking to get more involved: https://campusorgs.uci.edu/
- Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion (for topics listed below)
- For students experiencing moderate and more severe distress
- Counseling Center: for students who are experiencing a higher level of psychological distress.
https://counseling.uci.edu/ - Student Health Center: for students who may be experiencing more medical types of challenges/distress.
https://shc.uci.edu/ - Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE): for students who may be experiencing challenges and/or trauma from sexual or relationship violence.
https://care.uci.edu/ - Office of Campus Social Work: for students who may be experiencing complex and/or multiple challenges and need help finding the right resources.
https://www.whcs.uci.edu/campus-social-work - Basic Needs Center: for students who may be experiencing any level of food and/or housing insecurity challenges.
https://basicneeds.uci.edu/
- Counseling Center: for students who are experiencing a higher level of psychological distress.
- For students experiencing academic challenges and/or struggles
Section 3: Tips and Resources on Conflict Resolution
UCI offers a number of resources and tips on how to manage academic and personal conflicts in a healthy and productive way.
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Campus Resources for faculty and students
UCI Ombudsman Office: https://ombuds.uci.edu/
UCI Workforce Relations (Campus HR): https://hr.uci.edu/partnership/workforce-relations/conflict-resolution.php
UCI PD Conflict Management Tips and Resources: https://www.police.uci.edu/how-do-i/_brochures/conflict_management.pdf
OEOD Complaint Resolution: https://training.uci.edu/staff/leadership/guide/ler/conflict.htmlAcademic Counseling Graduate Division
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Conflict resolution best practices
Section 4: Approaching Students in Distress or Those with Mental Health Challenges
Faculty and staff are often the first to notice when something may be impacting a student’s academic experience and overall wellbeing. As such, you are an essential part of helping to create an overall Culture of Wellbeing for our students and community at UCI. Below are some tips to help guide the process for assisting a student who may be having a difficult time:
If you are concerned about a student:
- Before Reaching Out:
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- Be familiar with the resources and referral process -
- Summary of Campus Mental Health Counseling Services: https://whcs.uci.edu/summary-campus-mental-health-counseling-services
- Where Do I Refer a Student? https://whcs.uci.edu/where-do-i-refer-student
- Additional Office Quick Reference:
- Office of Campus Social Work: https://whcs.uci.edu/campus-social-work
- Disability Services Center (DSC): https://dsc.uci.edu/
- CARE: https://care.uci.edu/
- Grad Division Counselor: https://grad.uci.edu/well-being/well-being/
- Campus Consultation Team: https://whcs.uci.edu/consultation-team
- Seek consultation from experienced colleagues and/or department chair
- Consult with the Counseling Center (949) 824-6457 or Office of Campus Social Work https://www.whcs.uci.edu/campus-social-work/how-connect - if needed
- Be familiar with the resources and referral process -
- Connecting with the Student:
-
- Listen supportively
- Clearly express your concerns, focusing on behaviors in non-disparaging terms
- Offer supportive resources and referrals
- Emphasize the importance of professional help if appropriate and make them aware of campus resources
- Making the Referral:
-
- Be clear with the student about the limits of your role and refer accordingly
- Set realistic expectations about referrals
- Follow up with the student after the referral is made
- Keep in mind:
- Students may not always report back the outcome
- The office you referred to may have privacy laws that limit their ability to confirm that the student connected with their office
- Students may not always provide a full picture of what happened with the referral process (i.e. say they attended but did not).
Urgent Concern/Crisis:
- UCI Counseling Crisis Care Services: (949) 824-6457 (after hours crisis services select option"2")
- Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Lobby Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
- counseling.uci.edu
- If it's a life-threatening emergency: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
Additional Mental Health Resources:
- Assisting Students in Distress:
https://whcs.uci.edu/sites/default/files/Red-Folder-2B.jpg - Promoting Student Mental Health: A Guide for UC Faculty and Staff:
https://www.ucop.edu/student-mental-health-resources/training-and-programs/faculty-and-staff-outreach/PSMH-Handbook.html - Resources for Faculty & Staff to student mental health needs:
https://counseling.uci.edu/resources/resources-for-faculty-staff/ - Trainings: https://counseling.uci.edu/outreach/suicide-prevention/ (QPR, Mental Health First Aid), Addressing Students in Distress, By-Stander Intervention, Green Dot, Zot Ability
- Other Trainings: https://ssihi.uci.edu/community-programs/for-the-uci-uci-health-community/faculty-and-staff-support-services/webinars/
REMEMBER: You are NOT expected to be a mental health expert, make the warm hand off and let the resources do the rest! In other words, you are working with the student to help them access the valuable resources that are available to them. Please support them in making the connection.
IN A CRISIS OR EMERGENCY SITUATION:
CALL 911
Contact UCI PD (Non-Emergency Line): (949) 824-5223
Contact the Counseling Center: (949) 824-6457