We rely on our campus community to refer to Tell Someone. Whether your intention is to help a person get support, you witness a concerning behavior, or you become aware of a potential threat to campus safety, we encourage you to trust your instinct follow through with submitting a referral. All concerns are valid and important enough to be shared.
Reasons To Refer:
Violent Behavior or Ideas
- Threats or acts of violence toward others, on or off campus (spoken, written, symbolic)
- Threats or acts of violence toward animals
- Direct or vague threats, or references to committing a violent act
- Homicidal fantasies
- Preoccupation with violence or violent ideas
- Identifying with perpetrators of violence
- Sexual misconduct or interpersonal violence
Concerning Behaviors
- Unusual or changed pattern of interaction with others (change for baseline behavior)
- Engaging in risky behavior, including behavior that causes injury to themselves
- Irrationally suspicious or bizarre beliefs (fear of violence by others that is not connected to reality)
- Lack of conscience and responsibility (disregard for others or not taking accountability for behavior)
- Anger Problems (outbursts, physical displays of anger, escalation of anger over time)
- Stalking/Menacing Behavior (pattern of fear inducing harassment including bullying and intimate partner violence)
- History of violence, criminality and/or interpersonal conflict
- Pattern of entitlement and other negative traits (self-centeredness, grandiosity, highly defensive, blaming others)
- Substance abuse and/or dependence
Mood and Situational Changes
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness, helplessness or severe psychological pain
- Suicidality and/or depressed mood
- Hyperactive mood and/or rapid speech
- Inability to sleep and/or irritability
- Problems with peers or family members
- Increased isolation from family or friends
- Loss, personal stressors and negative coping in workplace, academics or personal life
- Recent loss, rejections, setbacks that lead to feelings of despair, desperation or humiliation
Changes in academic or work performance
These behaviors alone may not be cause for concern. However, if there is a known or suspected mental health concern in addition to the following behavior changes, it’s worth considering making a report.
- Change in academic or job performance
- Excessive absences or tardiness to class or work
- Repeated requests for special consideration, especially when this represents a departure from previous behavior
- Recent or likely termination or dismissal
Personal appearance
- General departure from baseline appearance
- Change in personal hygiene or dress
- Swollen or red eyes
- Dramatic weight loss or gain