CARE Team

These links will take you to PDF files with useful information about the CARE Process and show you how to best respond to students in crisis:

CARE Process Flowchart - Simple

CARE Process - Detailed 

CARE Response - Guide for Staff, Faculty, and Students

• Increase identification of OCU Students whose behaviors are distressed, disruptive, and/or dysregulated.
• Discuss situations brought to its attention by any member of the campus community seeking guidance on concerning, disruptive and/or problematic behaviors that might lead to aggression, self-harm or direct threat.
• Centralize the process of collecting and assessing “red flags” raised by student behavior and documented by different sources within the University before there is a crisis.
• Develop a coordinated plan to help students in crisis, mitigate risk, facilitate early intervention and protect and maintain campus safety.
• Coordinate follow-up with the student of concern to ensure that recommended services, support and resources are deployed effectively.
• Recommend mandated psychological assessment and/or medical leave/withdrawal, when necessary.
• Balance FERPA, HIPAA and counselor privilege with University need-to-know and emergency communication needs.
• Seek to participate in the protection of the campus community in cases of imminent threats to others or self.

• Ms. Lilly Bemudez-Wilkins, Associate Dean of Students (Chair)
• Dr. Levi J. Harrel-Hallmark, Dean of Students
• Mr. Casey Kreger, Senior Director of Housing & Residence Life
• Ms. Shannon Daly, Academic Services Coordinator
• Ms. Kristen Coventon, Assistant Athletic Director for Academics & Compliance
• Ms. Amber Postoak, Police Dispatcher

Use these examples to point out to the CARE team what you notice about a student that makes you worry about them:

LEVEL 1: GENERAL OUTREACH DUE TO PERCEIVED CONCERNS

• Student acting outside of their norm.
• Missed a few classes.
• Peers worried about their wellness but can’t put their finger on what’s wrong.

LEVEL 2: SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS

• Student has missed several classes.
• Little or no response to outreach.
• lack of attention or care for academic progress.
• Peers greatly concerned for wellbeing.
• Comments related to a general suicidal ideation (with no plan or means).
• Non-lethal self-harm (cutting, burning).
• Significant depression or anxiety.
• Burst of emotions (unusual or frequent).
• Medical issues such as eating disorders or debilitating illness (mind or body).
• Decreased socialization or self-care.

LEVEL 3: IMMINENT DANGER TO, OR FROM, STUDENT*

• Active plan to end their life or harm others and access to means.
• Comments such as, “I’m going to end it all,” “you won’t have to worry about me anymore after tonight.”
• Social media posts with weapons and/or indirect comments about harming self or others.
• Incapacitating illness

Other common concerning behaviors:

• Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or loss
• Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness, crying or tearfulness
• Lack of response to outreach from staff or course instructors
• Excessive fatigue
• Frequent or chronic illness
• Coming to class or work bleary-eyed or smelling of alcohol
• Angry or hostile outbursts, yelling or aggressive comments
• Expressions of severe anxiety or irritability
• Shakiness, tremors, fidgeting or pacing
• Visible changes in weight, statements about change in appetite or sleep
• Disorganized speech
• Concern about a student by his/her peers
• More withdrawn or animated than usual
• Excessively demanding or dependent behavior
• Deterioration in physical appearance or personal hygiene
• Noticeable bruises, cuts or burns
• Unusual inability to make eye contact
• A hunch or gut-level reaction that something is wrong

* In the event of an ACTIVE crisis, call OCUPD's Emergency Line: 405-208-5911

988: SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

• Many people experience suicidal crises or behavioral health-related distress without the support and care they need, creating urgent mental health challenges across our country. 
• “988” is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a national network of more than 200 crisis centers that help thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.  
• These centers are supported by local and state resources as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  
• The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support to people in suicidal, mental health, and substance misuse crises.  

How to connect:

• The 988 Lifeline’s offers voice, text, and chat options in English and Spanish
• Call 988 
• Text HELP or AYUDA to 988
• Start a live chat at https://988lifeline.org/es/chat/.

211:NON-EMERGENCY HELPLINE AND WEBSITE

• 211 is a non-emergency helpline connecting individuals with community and government services for support with healthcare, financial assistance, and more, available 24/7 across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
• The service is managed by organizations like United Way and Goodwill, handling over 14 million requests yearly, offering aid for housing, utilities, healthcare, employment, and mental health among others.
• Callers to 211 can receive information on a wide range of assistance including health insurance programs, affordable healthcare, and resources for specific needs like substance abuse treatment or financial aid for medical bills.
• In addition to local support, 211 can refer callers to national hotlines and resources for COVID-19, domestic violence, mental health, and more, providing a comprehensive network of assistance.

How to connect:

• Dial 211 from either a landline or cell phone.
• Text your five-digit zip code to 898211.
• Visit 211.org online.
• Download the 211 app for your area.

1-800-662-HELP (4357) SAMHSA’s National Helpline for substance use disorders

• This is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders like alcohol, tobacco/vaping, marijuana, hallucinogenic, opioids, etc. 
• Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit their website here: National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues | SAMHSA

Other help hotlines:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Love Is Respect (Dating abuse and domestic violence) – 1-866-331-9474
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• The Trevor Project (Support for the LGBTQ young adult community) – 1-866-488-7386
• The Trans Lifeline – 1-877-565-8860
• National Eating Disorder Association – 1-800-931-2237
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741-741
• Mental Illness Hotline – 1-800-950-6264
• Sexual Abuse Hotline – 1-800-656-4673
• Veteran’s Crisis Line – 1-800-273-8255
• Childhelp – 1-800-4ACHILD (224453)
• National Parent Helpline – 1-855-4APARENT (2727368)
• National Human Trafficking Hotline – 1-888-373-7888