Entering into therapeutic services is often an emotionally challenging step for students because it means facing their struggles and being vulnerable. At MWS, we encourage faculty and staff to support students through this by doing a warm handoff. Please see suggestions on how to do a warm handoff below. Also take a moment to check out our resources on how to Support a Student in Distress and How to Respond: Emotional Crisis vs. Communication Issue.
Answer: A warm handoff is when a support person helps a student access services by assisting them in taking the next step. Here are some steps that may assist you in this process:
- After providing a student with initial support and expressing your concern, ask them if they’ve heard about MWS.
- Share that MWS offers free and confidential counseling with a licensed professional who’s employed by the college.
- Share with the student that MWS has been helpful with other students and that you really hope they will reach out for support.
- Ask the student if they’re open to being connected to this resource.
- If yes, assist the student in emailing MWS to request an appointment. Specifics about the students situation are not necessary, simply state “I’d like to schedule an appointment to talk with someone. Please call or email me at (insert contact information). I could be available to meet on (days) at (insert times available).
- If no, give the student the MWS information. Write down the email address and website for the student. Consider showing them the website or emailing it to them so that they have it on hand. Reiterate your concern for them and the importance of having both social support and professional support.
- Thank the student for sharing and ask them if it’s okay that you check in with them again to see if they made contact with a support person and to see how they are doing.
- If you are concerned about the students presence on campus, disclosure of personal concerns, or overall well-being, you can file a CARE Team report so that the appropriate campus members can help support the student. This additional step ensures that the student is brought to the attention of the CARE Team. Referring to MWS does not suffice as notifying CARE Team because MWS services are confidential and students may choose to not allow disclosure.
Answer: Due to limited staffing, MWS cannot commit availability to offering crisis services via an on-call format. Due to this, faculty and staff have two options:
- If the student is at risk of harming themselves or others, contact emergency services via 911 or if appropriate, assist the student in calling the Crisis Line of Hawai‘i at 1 (800) 753-6879. Notify security if you need assistance because the student is disruptive, aggressive (towards self, others, or property, or is threatening to harm self or others. Security will assist in directing emergency services.
- If the student is not a threat to self or others and is safe please do the warm hand-off steps and note that the student is in need of support ASAP. Students are triaged and served based on acuity once the request for services is received.
