Helping Someone in Distress
Have you noticed a friend or peer struggling with stress, mental health or similar concerns? They may be experiencing a crisis or emergency and need your help. You can support them by using these 3 steps to understand the situation, respond appropriately and connect them to the right services and resources.
Are you struggling? Help is available: go.yorku.ca/well-being-resources
What Can I Do?
Mental health challenges can happen to anyone. As a student, you or someone you know may be struggling and not know where to turn. Depending on the situation, the person may need emergency services, immediate help or could benefit from campus or community resources.
If you’re concerned, you can use the RRR Model to understand what’s happening, respond appropriately and direct accordingly. Your help could make all the difference. go.yorku.ca/rrr-model
More Feet on the Ground: Recognize, Respond and Refer (RRR)
RECOGNIZE RESPOND REFER
signs of mental health concerns or distress. with empathy and understanding. to appropriate campus or community resources.
Step 1
Recognize
It’s important to be able to recognize signs of stress, distress or general mental health concerns. Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you or someone you know may be struggling:
• Have they been acting out of character or unusually?
• Have they been struggling or asking for advice?
• Has anyone else expressed concern about them?
Step 2
Respond
Do you have a gut feeling that something might be wrong or “off” with this person that has persisted and/or become worse over time? Trust your judgement. Find out more by:
• Creating a supportive and non-judgmental space for them to feel heard and valued.
• Using supportive language to show understanding and compassion.
• Expressing concern for their well-being.
Worried that you’re overstepping? Be honest with them. Let them know you’re concerned and may reach out for help. While privacy is important, their safety takes priority.
Hey, do you think we could talk about something for a minute? I have kind of noticed something and wanted to bring it up.
I am feeling a bit unsure about something and thought I should say something.
Refer
Now that you’ve engaged with them and learned more about what’s going on, you are ready to refer them to the right services and resources. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may need to contact emergency services immediately, direct them to crisis services or refer them to non-crisis resources.
Remember, you do not need to navigate this alone. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or triggered after referring the individual, you may benefit from support services yourself.
If you have immediate concerns about safety, call 911 and/or York Security Services (416-736-5333 or ext. 33333).
EMERGENCY
The person could be in serious danger right now and their life might be at risk (e.g. medical emergency, active suicide attempt, danger to themselves or others).
CRISIS
It seems like the person is going through a tough time due to life events that feel overwhelming, like a loss, challenge or threat. It is highly distressing and needs urgent attention but is not immediately life-threatening. (e.g. expressing suicidal thoughts but has no immediate plan or intent, severe panic, agitation).
1. Call 911 immediately.
2. If the person is on campus, please also call York Security Services at 416-736-5333 or ext. 33333.
Call or bring the person to any of these service areas.
Student Counselling, Health & Well-being Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday (May 24 to August 30): 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Keele Campus
N110, Bennett Centre for Student Services 99 Ian Macdonald Boulevard 416-736-5297
Glendon Campus
B108, York Hall (YH), Student Success Centre 2275 Bayview Ave 416-487-6716
Markham Campus
Rm 2010, Student Success Centre 1 University Boulevard 416-736-5297
Office of Student Community Relations Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 416-736-5231 | oscr@yorku.ca
Keele Campus
N204, Bennett Centre for Student Services 99 Ian Macdonald Boulevard
Markham Campus
Rm 2010, Student Success Centre 1 University Boulevard
Outside of operational hours, have the student connect with either of these services (situation dependent):
Good2Talk 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
Suicide Crisis Line
9-8-8
NON-CRISIS
The person is not going through something really serious, but getting some support or using helpful resources could still make a difference.
• Just listen, show that you care and try not to judge.
• Ask a few questions to understand what is going on so you can help them find the right kind of support.
• If they do not want help right now, respect their choice and give them information about available resources in case they need it later.
Learn more about York’s campus and community resources. go.yorku.ca/well-being-resources