Behavioral Intervention Team

The following behaviors can all be important signs of distress. As a member of the MCC community, you may notice an individual exhibiting one or more of the academic, physical, or emotional signs and decide that something is clearly wrong. Or you may have a “gut-level feeling” that something is wrong. If the latter is the case, don’t dismiss your feelings or feel that you need to wait for tangible “proof” that a problem exists. A simple check-in with the individual may help you get a better sense of his/her situation.

Physical signs

• Falling asleep in class or other inopportune times
• A dramatic change in energy level (either direction)
• Worrisome changes in hygiene or personal appearance
• Significant changes in weight
• Frequent state of alcohol intoxication (i.e., bleary-eyed, hung-over, smelling of alcohol)
• Noticeable cuts, bruises, or burns on individual

Emotional signs

• Inappropriate emotional outbursts (unprovoked anger or hostility, sobbing)
• Agitated behaviors
• Exaggerated personality traits; more withdrawn or more animated than usual
• Expressions of hopelessness, fear or worthlessness; themes of suicide, death and dying in papers/projects
• Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or other difficulties
• Peer concern about a fellow individual (in class, lab, club)

Academic signs

• Deterioration in quality/quantity of work
• A negative change in classroom or research performance (e.g., drop in grades)
• Missed assignments or exams
• Repeated absences from class or from research lab
• Disorganized or erratic performance
• Decline in enthusiasm in class (e.g., no longer choosing a seat in the front of the room)
• Student sends frequent, lengthy, “ranting” or threatening types of emails to instructor
• Continual seeking of special provisions (e.g., late papers, extensions, postponed exams and projects)

It’s possible that any one of these signs, in and of itself, may simply mean that an individual is having an “off” day.Please note, however, any one serious sign (e.g., a student writes a paper expressing hopelessness and/or thoughts of suicide) or a cluster of smaller signs (e.g., emotional outbursts, repeated absence, a noticeable cut on the arm) may necessitate an intervention.NOTE: In cases where an individual’s behavior poses an imminent threat to you or another, contact 911 immediately!

Please consider the following:

• Speaking with the student individually.
• Filling out an Incident Report Form.

Show you care and listen.

• “I’m concerned about you and noticed you haven’t been sleeping, eating, going to class, etc.”
• “How are you feeling?”

Reflect back their feelings and paraphrase:

• “What I hear you say is that you are in a great deal of pain and feel hopeless.”
• “I’m glad you called.”
• Listen with respect. Individuals in distress want understanding and caring.

Ask about suicide directly.

• “Sometimes when people feel sad, they have thoughts of killing themselves. Have you had such thoughts?”
• “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
• “Have you considered suicide?” “How would you go about it?”
• “Do you have a plan?”
• Remember, asking about suicide does NOT put the idea in people’s minds.

Get help. Explore options. Offer resources.

1. “What would help now?” “Who can or who usually helps?” “How can I help?”
2. Get assistance. Avoid trying to be the only lifeline for this person. Seek out resources even if it means breaking a confidence.
3. “How would you feel about visiting with a counselor? Let’s call right now.

Visit our Resources page for contact information around a variety of topics. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK.

Call 911 if this is an acute crisis.

What Not To Do

1. Do not promise to keep the person’s thoughts of suicide a secret.
2. Do not leave the person alone.
3. Do not offer simple solutions.
4. Do not suggest drugs or alcohol as a solution.

Referrals can be made by completing the electronic reporting form. The online form allows for 24-hour reporting; however, please note that referrals may not be handled until the next business day. If you believe your referral requires more immediate attention, please call Gary Dukes, Vice President of Student Success at (970) 542-3111 or Amanda Dunn, Director of Human Resources at (970) 542-3129. NOTE: In cases where an individual’s behavior poses an imminent threat to you or another, contact 911 immediately!

What happens when I submit an Incident Report?

The BIT developed a protocol to ensure that critical behavior or mental health issues or incidents are addressed appropriately. When a referral is online, the co-chairs immediately receive the report via email. The team evaluates each report. A member(s) of the BIT may reach out to the individual of concern to assess any resources needed and collaboratively develop an action plan with the individual to reduce obstacles for their success at MCC. The BIT may also contact the person completing the Incident Report. BIT members will assist the individual in coordinating with existing campus resources currently being utilized and then works with the individual to monitor progress.

In the event that an individual is perceived to be at risk of harm to self or others, BIT may coordinate with appropriate MCC offices to assist the individual. BIT may determine that there is no need to take any further action but will monitor the situation and concern.

To report an incident or a situation of concern, thoroughly complete the form found when you click the red “Report Incident” button above. Incomplete forms cannot be processed, so fill out the form in its entirety. Your completed report will enter a secure database.

Information relative to a situation of concern will be reviewed by the BIT and handled confidentially. Conduct violations will be handled in accordance with the procedures outlined in “Student Rights & Responsibilities” section of the MCC Catalog. The work of the BIT is not intended to replace the current college disciplinary process, and/or faculty classroom management.

Referrals to BIT are confidential

The BIT will take reasonable steps to maintain the privacy of those who make a report to BIT, if requested, but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. On occasion, due to the nature of the reported concern, the reporter’s identity may be evident to the individual of concern.

For a full list of resources on a variety of topics, visit our Resources page.

What do I do if I know an individual who may need to be referred to the BIT process?

If you feel there is an immediate threat, call 911. To make a referral, click the red “Report Incident” button above. You will be asked for basic information about the incident, how to contact you (in case the BIT committee has follow-up questions) and for a description of the incident or behaviors that prompted the referral. You are the Behavioral Intervention Team’s best resource because you are familiar with those involved. If you are comfortable doing so, tell the individual that you are concerned and ask if he/she is OK. In many cases an individual will indicate that he/she could use some help and you can refer them to counseling services.

Who can report an incident?

Anyone who feels an individual is a threat to themselves and/or the community can make a BIT Incident Report; including students, parents, faculty and staff, and other community members. Reporting is the most critical step. To make an incident report, please click on the button “Report Incident” at the top of this page and fill out the form in its entirety. Also, refer to the Resources page to find appropriate contact information.

What happens after I submit an Incident Report?

Team members from Student Services and Human Resources receive your incident report form by email and are able to take the information and make a decision about whether the individual needs assessment. However, reporting is the most critical step. To make an Incident Report, click on the red “Report Incident” button above on the right hand side of this page. Refer to the Resources section to find contact information.

How do I know if it is a BIT issue or if it is more appropriately handled by other campus resources?

You do not have to make this determination; the BIT will do it for you. The most critical step is that you report any incidents at the red “Report Incident” button above. If another campus resource is more appropriate, the BIT will refer the individual and handle the transfer of information. Typically, behaviors that pose a threat to safety or that cause a significant community disruption qualify as Incident Reports. It may also be appropriate to refer individuals to BIT who are experiencing other mental health issues.

What does the BIT team do after they receive an Incident Report?

1. Review all referred incidents of actual or potential violence, as soon as reasonably possible: It is recognized that some referrals, by their very nature, will require immediate review and response while others may be dealt with during regular Team meetings.
2. Determine if a threat exists and develop a strategy or plan of action to respond to that threat: The Team will use a fact based assessment process to determine if a threat exists and to develop an appropriate plan of action. Action plans should take into consideration the potential for incidents of targeted violence and should be incident specific.
3. Take appropriate action to implement the plan and mitigate the danger: The Team shall implement the agreed upon action plan and assure that all necessary follow up and documentation is conducted. Any action plan shall make available, and use as needed, a full range of support services including mental health, crisis management, as well as victim services.