Occasionally, a tutee may present themselves to you in a state of distress. If this occurs and you believe your tutee is in immediate danger, or a danger to others (e.g. the student is violent or threatening suicide) you should contact the Wellbeing Team Manager (01904 876477), Security (6444) or call 999 as appropriate.
It is recommended that you:
- Talk to the student in an area where they feel safe and make sure that you are in sight of somebody else at all times. DO NOT compromise your safety.
- Listen to the students’ concerns.
- Remain calm
- Advise the student, but only if you feel comfortable in doing so.
- Reassure the student, but DO NOT make promises.
- Make a record of the encounter; it is important to differentiate between things you have experienced first-hand and the things that you were told about. Some basic lines of inquiry are:
- Who was involved – staff names, student name and student number (if possible)
- What happened? What have you been told?
- Where did this happen?
- Why has this happened?
- How did this happen?
- Communicate with the Head of School or the Wellbeing Team.
- Debrief: leave the incident at work. Talk to somebody to make sure that you have processed what happened. This will help to protect your own mental health.
If the student is not in immediate danger, but there are evident changes in their behaviour, mental or physical health, then you should contact the Wellbeing Team (wellbeing@yorksj.ac.uk), escort the student to the Student Information Desk in Holgate, or ask the tutee to contact their GP or call the NHS Emergency and Urgent Care Helpline (111).
If your tutee is not in any danger, and is simply distressed about academic, work, or financial matters, encourage them to get in touch with the Wellbeing Team.