Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

The Red Folder serves a quick reference guide to:

• Identify and better understand the signs of psychological distress exhibited by students;
• Address student issues (behavioral, psychological, personal threatening and safety; and
• Intervene with appropriate support staff if you suspect that a student or other community member may needed assistance.

The Red Folder was adapted from an initiative created by the University of California (UC) system. In collaboration with the UC, the California State University System (CSU) developed a workshop of peer health educators and counselors to develop a program to meet the needs of the CSU and its students.

SCC recognizes that students seek support and counseling from faculty and staff members whom they have fostered a trusting relationship.  For this reason, SCC is providing a tool that will assist its faculty and staff in connecting students with the appropriate campus services.

• Sudden decline in quality of work and grades.
• Repeated absences.
• Disturbing content in writing or presentations (e.g., violence, death)
• You find yourself doing more personal rather than academic counseling during office hours.
• Continuous classroom disruptions.

• Marked changes in physical appearance
  including deterioration in grooming hygiene, or weight loss/gain.
• Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbance.
• Disoriented or “out of it”.

• Self-disclosure of personal distress that could family problems, financial difficulties, depression, grief or thoughts of suicide.
• Excessive tearfulness, panicked reactions, irritability or unusual apathy.
• Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering,
  intimidation).
• Expressions of concern about the student by his/her peers.

• Unprovoked anger or hostility.
• Making implied or direct threats to harm self or others.
• Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, rage, worthlessness, isolation, despair, acting out, suicidal ideations/violent behaviors.

The student’s conduct is clearly and
imminently reckless, disorderly,
dangerous or threatening including
self-harm behavior.

Example behaviors:

• Expressed intent to harm self or others
• Brandishing a weapon
• Suicide attempt or threat

Response:

Call campus security at 606-451-6938 or 911.

The student shows signs of distress
but I am unsure how serious it is. My
interaction has left me feeling uneasy
and/or really concerned about the
student.

Example Behaviors:

• Not typically life threatening; may
  signal that an individual’s coping skills
  are being challenged.
• Indirect threats to self or others, of
  disturbing content in academic work

Response:

Document the behavior and submit
online SCC BIT Referral form below.

I’m not concerned for the student’s
immediate safety, but he/she is having
significant academic and/or personal
issues and could use some support.

Example Behaviors:

• Frequent class absences
• Changes in appearance or hygiene
• Difficulty adjusting to college

Response: 

Refer to Campus Resources or submit
online SCC BIT Referral form.

A person of concern is any individual who demonstrates disruptive or disturbing behavior, personal difficulties, mental and/or emotional instability, or otherwise causes another member of the campus community to feel distress.

Persons of concern are reported to the BIT, whose goal is to take a proactive approach to help our College maintain a safe and supportive community.

• Who: Who was involved? Multiple persons? Witnesses?
• What: What happened? Details of observation?
• When: When did the event occur? Date/Time?
• Where: Where did the event take place?
• Why: Did something else happen leading to the event?

Depending upon the situation, immediate action may be taken. The BIT reviews the concern, collects additional information as needed, makes a determination for a plan of action and follows up.

The BIT can provide additional resources and individualized help to those who are experiencing difficulties. This support is beneficial to both the individual and the campus community. Your report to the BIT can make a difference.