The university requires that you report threats and acts of violence and encourages reporting concerning behaviors. Reporting helps to ensure that the university’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) has the information necessary to do its job. BIT seeks to identify and reduce potential threats before they result in harm.
As with many of life's problems, early intervention is often better. A person who receives appropriate help sooner, rather than later, may be less likely to experience more severe symptoms or cause harm to self or others.
How to respond in an emergency/crisis
- Have an escape route.
- Notify the Police IMMEDIATELY (Call 911/ 111, 605-688-5717).
- Provide all possible information to the Police including the location, name of person(s) involved, description of perpetrator and type of weapon(s) used (if any).
How to respond to a violent person
Like a crisis, you need to:
- Get to a secure location as soon as possible.
- Notify the police.
- Provide all information available to you.
- Do not try to be the mediator!
- Remain calm.
How to respond if you are concerned someone may cause harm to themselves or others
Do...
- Share your concerns with the Behavior Intervention Team (BIT).
- Listen and offer support in a non-judgmental way.
- Widen options and explore alternatives for problem solving.
- Ask direct questions about the person's intentions; if appropriate ask if the person is considering suicide or other acts of violence.
- Communicate your concern for the person's well being.
- Recommend that the person reach out to someone who can help them figure out what to do next (clergy, supervisor, mental health professional).
- Call the police if you believe the risk of harm to self or others is immediate.
Do Not...
- Say "everything will be alright."
- Dare the person to "do it."
- Tell the person about someone who "has it worse."
- Promise to keep the conversation a secret.
- Leave the person alone if you believe the risk of harm to self or others is immediate.
- Provide counseling if you are not qualified to do so.
Warning Signs
Listed below are behaviors or actions that may indicate a path toward danger to self or others. These behaviors alone may represent isolated incidents with no apparent trend or potential for harm. However, changes in behaviors over time are often indicative of potential problems and should create a higher level of concern. The best information in behavioral changes, whether they occur over a long or short period of time, is provided by individuals who have an ongoing relationship with the individual. This includes the individual's peers, faculty, co-workers, students and supervisors.
Behaviors do not have to be violations of law or university policy to be of concern. Community members are encouraged to report incidents of concerning behaviors that may not qualify independently as a threat. While the signs, threats and indicators are detailed below, instances of changed behavior that may singly or in combination generate concern include, but are not limited to:
- References to planning a violent or destructive event or harming others.
- Preoccupation with weapons, violent events or persons who have engaged in violent acts.
- Disruptive or bizarre conduct.
- Extreme and inappropriate reactions or responses, such as angry outbursts.
- Unexplained and alarming changes in behavior or conduct.
- Suicidal comments or threats.
- Talking louder than appropriate voice in the circumstances.
- Verbal or written abuse or harassment, including direct contact, voicemail, e-mail, social networking sites.
- Conflicts with others.
- Talking about violence, glorification of or reference to other violent incidents.
- Blames other for their problems/not taking personal responsibility.
- Distancing self from others, withdrawn, avoiding others, anxious.
- Concentration or memory problems (may be seen as a worsening of academic or work performance).
- Use of or increased use of alcohol/drugs.
- Lack of concern for the safety of others.
- Violent outbursts or displays.
- A significant, inadequately or unconvincingly explained increase in absenteeism, especially if the employee or student has previously had consistent attendance.
- Based on perception of abnormal look or actions compared to typical look or action.
- Anger or excessive irritability.
- Excessive impatience.
- Appearing stressed/hopeless/depressed.
- Steals/sabotages the work of others.
The most effective way to help in preventing suicide is to know the warning signs, take those signs seriously and respond appropriately. Fortunately, people who are suicidal CAN be helped with the proper treatment. Common warning signs of suicide include:
- Hopelessness.
- Rage, uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.
- Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking.
- Feeling trapped, like there is no way out.
- Increased alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawing from friends, family and society.
- Anxiety, agitation, inability to sleep or sleeping all the time.
- Dramatic mood changes.
- Expressing no reason for living or no purpose in life.
- Inability to see the future without pain.
- Inability to make decisions or think clearly.
- Decision to stop taking prescribed medication for depression or other psychological disorder.
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
- Depression - Symptoms may include sleep disturbances, poor concentration, change in appetite, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, withdrawal, poor hygiene, loss of self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and preoccupations with death.
- Agitation - Symptoms include being disruptive, restless or hyperactive, antagonistic and may include an increase in alcohol and/or drug abuse.
- Disorientation - Symptoms may include odd or unusual thinking and behavior, lack of awareness of what is going on around them, misperception of facts or reality, rambling or disconnected speech and behavior that seems out of context or bizarre.
- Drug and Alcohol Use - Signs of intoxication during work or class or other inappropriate times.
The identification of concerning actions or behaviors may not indicate a path toward destructive behavior. They do indicate the need for support at some level. This process will allow the university to determine the correct level of concern so that appropriate support can be provided.