Training and Education Opportunities
Supporting Students in Distress
Supporting Students in Distress is typically an hour-long training providing brief guidance in communication skills, identifying moments of distress, and effective resource referrals for students in need. This training can be customized to allow for deeper discussion within the scope of the faculty or staff that it serves. Currently this training is offered upon request.
Spring Term 2024 Workshop
Supporting Students Through Challenges is a 4-part workshop series for faculty and staff. It is designed as a more comprehensive training to develop supportive listening skills, learn more about common mental health challenges, positive and negative coping skills, creating and sustaining supportive environments for students, and how to identify and address student safety.
This training will be held via zoom and offered Wednesdays at 3-4:15 p.m. ET March 6, 13, 20, 27 with a concluding wrap-up day April 3 for open discussion and case consultation. To register for this workshop series please provide your information.
Workshop I: Introductions and Fundamental Concepts of Mental Health
- Grow shared frames for understanding mental health
- Provide an overview of how stressors can manifest
- Learn strategies to help students seek support and explore ways to continue to serve as a supporter for a student alongside other helpers.
Workshop II: Skills for Supporting Students
- Review some content from Week 1
- Understand how empathy and acceptance play key roles in listening
- Explore effective strategies for deepening discussions
- Practice supportive listening skills
Workshop III: Elements of Crisis
- Learn to use support and consultation resources through triaging
- Learning signs of a crisis
- How to reach out for support if a student needs immediate help
- How to debrief after a crisis
Workshop IV: Creating Communities of Support
- Determining what parts of your role require stretching into a supporting role and how to take care of yourself when you do this
- Exploring strategies for supporting students in the classroom and other learning environments
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Learning resources for referral and ways to embed support into your interactions with students
Non-Clinical Safety Assessment
Non-Clinical Safety Assessment training is available for specialized staff with responsibilities for campus safety both during and after business hours. This training is offered by request and requires consultation before scheduling to understand the role(s) of attendees and the scope(s) of their work.
Help Guides for Faculty and Staff
Integrated Care is available to help develop custom Help Guides for roles, departments, units, and campuses across Middlebury. Help Guides are a tool for faculty and staff working with students to inform resource utilization and responses when a student is in distress. Below is a general Help Guide for undergraduate students in Vermont.
Need Help Now?
TalkNow through TimelyCare provides 24/7 access to mental health support. You can speak with a counselor at any time from anywhere simply by opening TimelyCare, selecting TalkNow, and requesting an appointment
In case of an emergency call 911 or the following emergency resources:
- Middlebury College Public Safety Emergency Line: 802-443-5911
- Porter Hospital Emergency Room: 115 Porter Drive, Middlebury Vt.