Student Care & Referral Resources

Faculty and staff are often among the first to notice when a student may be struggling. The signs below can help you identify when a student may benefit from additional support. 

Immediate safety concern? If a student poses an immediate threat to themselves or others, call TCU Police at 817-257-7777. 

Distressed Students 

A student may be experiencing distress if they: 

• Appear irritable, sad, unruly, anxious, withdrawn, confused, lacking motivation or concentration. 
• Seek constant attention or demonstrate bizarre, erratic or concerning behaviors including references to self-harm. 
• Continually seek special accommodations (late papers, extensions, postponed exams, etc.), have excessive absences, or exhibit a significant change in behaviors.  

Disruptive Students 

A student’s behavior may require immediate attention if they: 

• Interfere with TCU’s learning environment through behaviors that are disruptive or unsafe, including conduct that is reckless (attending class under the influence of alcohol or other substances). 
• Are disorderly, aggressive, defiant, destructive, threatening, or pose a risk of harm to self or others.  
• Exhibit behaviors that significantly impede instruction or the ability of others to participate, such as repeated interruptions, refusal to follow reasonable directions, or conduct that creates an unsafe environment.  

Visit Responding to Students of Concern for guidance on assisting a student and explore Campus Resources to learn about available on and off-campus resources, including Suicide Prevention Training. 

Every situation is different, but your role is to respond calmly, prioritize safety, and connect students with the appropriate resources. You are not expected to diagnose or resolve the situation on your own.

Immediate Emergencies – If a student poses an immediate threat to themselves or others, appears to be at risk of suicide or homicide, or you have knowledge of a crime:

• Call TCU Police immediately at 817-257-7777.
• Stay with the student if it is safe to do so until help arrives.
• Do not attempt to manage the situation alone.

If a Student Is Disruptive but Not an Immediate Threat:

• Prioritize your own safety and remain calm and non-confrontational.
• Clearly explain why the behavior is inappropriate and set reasonable expectations.
• If the behavior continues, inform the student that the matter may be referred to the Dean of Students Office. 
• If the behavior escalates or you become concerned for anyone’s safety, contact TCU Police immediately at 817-257-7777. You may also notify the Dean of Students Office at 817-257-7926.
• To report a non-emergency student concern fill out the online form.

If you are unsure how to respond or whether a referral is appropriate, contact the Dean of Students Office at 817-257-7926 for guidance.

If a student needs help but does not want to interact with campus offices, refer to the Campus Resources tab for off-campus options you can share with the student. Please note that if a student discloses conduct covered by University Policy 1.008, you are still required to report the disclosure to the Office of Institutional Equity. Providing an off-campus referral does not eliminate your mandatory reporting responsibilities.

Confidentiality should not be promised, particularly if a student represents a safety risk to themselves or others. Faculty and staff should remain in their professional roles, you need only to listen and connect the student with appropriate resources.

General Responding Guidelines

Every situation is different, but these principles can help you respond appropriately when a student may be experiencing distress or exhibiting concerning behavior.

• Safety first: The welfare of the student and campus community is the top priority
• Trust your instincts: If you feel significant unease about a student, seek consultation from your department chair, supervisor, the Dean of Students Office, or the Counseling & Mental Health Center
• Listen carefully: Many students have difficulty articulating their distress. Don’t be afraid to ask directly if they have thoughts of suicide or harming themselves or others
• Be proactive: Engage students early and consult with University personnel to coordinate care
• De-escalate and support: Avoid threatening or intimidating language. Help students connect with the resources needed to stabilize

The Office of Institutional Equity was created in September 2020 to help achieve the university’s goal of supporting our campus community by ensuring all individuals have the opportunity to meaningfully engage in a learning and working environment that is free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. This includes Title IX reports on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. 

TCU is committed to providing a positive living, learning, and working environment free from discrimination. In support of this commitment, TCU prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, predisposing genetic information, covered veteran status, and any other basis protected by law, except as permitted by law. TCU also prohibits unlawful sexual and gender-based harassment and violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking (collectively referred to herein as “Prohibited Conduct”). Allegations of sexual assault received by the TCU Police Department are reported to the Fort Worth Police Department. 

Discrimination, harassment and prohibited conduct are incompatible with TCU’s mission to educate individuals to think and act as ethic leaders and responsible citizens in the global community and can threaten the educational experience, careers and well-being of members of the TCU community, including employees, students, and visitors. The Office of Institutional Equity can maintain privacy, but the office is not a confidential resource.  

 Mandatory Reporting: To report a crime, contact TCU Police at (817) 257-7777 or report online using the Campus Security Authority Reporting Form. 

All TCU employees with the exception of University employees designated as Confidential Resources, designated below, are considered Mandatory Reporters and are required to immediately report knowledge of any crime to the TCU Police Department. Failure of Mandatory Reporters to report such conduct in a timely manner may subject them to appropriate discipline, including removal from a position or termination of employment. Mandatory Reporters should not seek to investigate the conduct, nor notify the respondent. 

Mandatory Reporters should report all known information and any details about the incident to TCU Police. Mandatory Reporters may provide support and assistance to the complainant, witness or respondent; but they cannot promise confidentiality or withhold information about the alleged conduct when making a report. 

Employees who have the ability to maintain confidential or privileged communications include licensed health-care professionals, certified confidential advocates for survivors of sexual assault, and ordained clergy members, including ordained University Chaplains in TCU’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, who receive the information while acting in their professional capacities. 

For more information regarding Mandatory Reporters, please review the University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Conduct online.

If it is suspected that a student has come to class intoxicated, high, impaired, or under the influence of any substance, please report these concerns to the Dean of Students Office at 817-257-7926. Contact the TCU Police at 817-257-7777 if immediate assistance is needed.

If you suspect a student may be struggling with substance use outside of the classroom and it is not a crisis or immediate need to intervene, you are encouraged to complete a Student of Concern form to inform the Dean of Students Office.  

Every building on campus is equipped with an Opioid Overdose Prevention Kit, including nasal Naloxone (brand name Narcan) to be used in the case of an opioid overdose. No formal training is required to administer Narcan; instructions are provided on the side of the kit. Narcan is not a replacement for medical attention. Please call the TCU Police at 817-257-7777 for assistance in the case of a potential opioid overdose on campus. 

The Substance Use and Recovery Services (SURS) office includes licensed counselors and experts in substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery support. SURS staff accept student referrals for care, and are available to provide consultation and trainings for faculty and staff as needed. 

Our office partners with the TCU Counseling & Mental Health Center to provide training on recognizing and responding to distressed students. To schedule a training for your department, email deanofstudents@tcu.edu.