Campus Assessment, Response & Education (CARE)

The mission of Campus Assessment, Response & Education Team is to identify and respond to students who are displaying behaviours that put themselves or others at risk of harm to self or others. The CARE Team acts as a bridge between students and campus or community resources to support them with a tailored response toward a positive living and learning environment.

What is the CARE team?

The Campus Assessment, Response, and Education (CARE) Case Team manages situations involving students-at-risk of harm to themselves or others due to mental well-being, social challenges, or other concerns. Our goal is to connect the students with the appropriate service(s) that will address each unique situation and provide the student with support to enable a healthy and successful future.

A case team approach is utilized to support students-at-risk to facilitate information transfer and to provide a coordinated response to these situations. The Campus Assessment, Response, and Education Case Team meets regularly and on an as-needed basis to discuss any pertinent issues regarding at-risk behaviour.

Composition of the CARE team

  • Campus Security Services
  • Student Wellness and Accessibility
  • Residences
  • Registrar’s Office
  • Human Rights and Equity
  • Brock International
  • Student Affairs

WHO IS CONSIDERED A STUDENT AT RISK?

“Student-at-Risk” means any student whose physical or mental state is such that they may be or have become a threat to her/himself, others, the educational process or the Brock community in general. This state may or may not involve allegations of misconduct by the student.

It’s important Brock faculty and staff have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with these protocols in order to be able to report any behaviours of concern to the appropriate office for follow-up as soon as possible.

Common Referrals

Student’s often are at risk of harm to self or others when facing:

  • Academic concerns
  • Adjustment issues
  • Behavioural concerns
  • Career or graduation
  • Death or grief
  • Financial
  • Personal health or wellness
  • Relationships or student engagement
  • Other concerns

Submit a concern

Many questions are asked about appropriate ways to address disconcerting student behaviours. What’s most important to remember is there are trained colleagues and established protocols on campus to assist in these situations. If you are not sure, it is okay to find support for a student.

To report a student who might be at risk, but is not in an emergency situation complete an online reporting form that is confidential and can be anonymous.

You can also report by contacting the Associate Director, Student Affairs, Darryl Veld at 905-688-5550 x4041 or dveld@brocku.ca.

When to report

Ask yourself: Is the student currently a danger to themselves or others?

Yes

Call 911 or Campus Security at x3200.

Not sure, but I am concerned

Report your concerns to the CARE Team.

No

Talk with the student, refer to appropriate resources and follow up with them.

The Orange Folder

Learn about how to respond to emergency and non-emergency situations. The Orange Folder is available in your department, or you can download a PDF here.

For on-campus emergencies call Campus Security x3200 from any campus phone or emergency phone (blue light phone on campus). Campus Security will alert the appropriate authorities.

In off-campus situations, the appropriate response to a truly life-threatening situation is to call 911.

Even if the student does not “want assistance,” call Campus Security or 911 anyway and allow EMS to handle the situation.

Students requiring immediate help because of severe psychological difficulties are usually seen within the hour Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 4:30pm at:

Student Wellness & Accessibility, Personal Counselling 1-833-Brock33

Student Health Services x3243

For situations requiring immediate assistance or with after hours crisis situations call Campus Security x3200 from any campus phone or emergency phone (blue light phone on campus).

When calling for assistance, it’s important to identify that it is a crisis situation.

In the event of a direct reference to suicide or a suicide attempt, immediately call:

On-Campus – Campus Security x3200 from any campus phone or emergency phone (blue light phone on campus).

Off-Campus – Call 911

Indirect references should be referred to Personal Counselling at 1-833-Brock33 or Student Health Services at x3243 or reported through the CARE process

Indirect references to suicide may include the following:

  • Statements or comments about wanting to die.
  • Expressed feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or helplessness.
  • Feelings the world/family/friends would be better off without them.
  • Unreasonable feelings of guilt.

Intervention varies with the severity of the offending behaviour, however, all threats of physical violence causing bodily harm and specific threats to self or others must be reported to Campus Security at x3200.

If a student is exhibiting continuing disruptive behaviour and you are concerned, submit a referral through the CARE process

In case of an apparent drug overdose or severe drug reaction, call:

On-Campus – Campus Security x3200 from any campus phone or emergency phone (blue light phone on campus).

Off-Campus – Call 911

If a student appears to have a pattern of substance abuse, it’s important to attempt to refer the student to Personal Counselling at 1-833-Brock33 to be connected with a Community Addiction Services of Niagara (CASON) representative.

If the student refuses to be supported or referred to counseling, respect their decision. Accepting or refusing assistance must be left up to the student, except in emergencies, when life is in danger. If you are concerned that the student might be at risk, report through the CARE process

CARE Resources For Students, Faculty and Staff

Community resources

A listing of some of the most common resources at Brock and in the local community.

Campus Assessment, Response, and Education Protocol

This Protocol aims to provide transparency toward Brock University’s response to student-at-risk.

CARE Case Management Team

A team approach is utilized to best support students from a holistic approach.