Welcome! Thank you for joining us here! Through this asynchronous workshop, we invite you to expand and build your capacity to connect with and support our students.
Student life is a period of unique change filled with challenging events. As a member of the VIU community, you will have opportunities to identify and support students who are struggling with challenges and accompanying distress that affects their ability to enjoy and succeed at VIU.
In this training you will learn to recognize signs of distress, to respond effectively and empathically, and to refer students to appropriate resources. Our goal is to increase your confidence in responding to students in distress when you find yourself in these situations.
Working through the videos and associated reflections will take approximately one hour in total, and you can learn bit by bit as time allows.
Here is what you can expect:
Part 1 will introduce you to the workshop, goals for learning, and scenario (~8 mins).
Part 2 addresses signs of distress that can help us recognize students who may need some support (~12 mins).
Part 3 addresses how we can respond to students in distress in a supportive, empathic way while acknowledging our boundaries (~10 mins).
Part 4 addresses some specifics around suicide, including the challenging questions "Should I ask about suicide?" and "What do I do next"? (~13 mins)
Part 5 discusses opportunities to consult and to refer students for further support at VIU and in the community (~11 mins).
Part 6 provides an opportunity to review the scenario to see how your response can be informed by your new knowledge! This will conclude the workshop (~8 mins).
Work through these videos at your own pace, and be sure to pause and consider your experience in relation to the content. You are welcome to connect with the Counselling Team to debrief, discuss any questions, comments, or scenarios that you'd like to address, and/or talk to your colleagues about it! Discussion amongst VIU Community Members can be very rich, supportive, and... you guessed it... connecting!
Thank you for your care and commitment to a thriving and well VIU Community. Please touch base with any VIU Counsellor (250.740.6416) if you would like to discuss questions or concerns.
Please refer to the supporting students in distress page for your area as a reference.
Enjoy your learning!
Brené Brown video on empathy
Brené Brown on Empathy This short video captures essence of what empathy is (and isn't).
Suicide affects us all video
Suicide affects us all - This story explores how you can help people thinking about suicide or dealing with suicide loss.
Resource request and referral form
The Resource Request and Referral Form (formerly early alert) can be submitted by faculty, staff and students.
- Use if there is no immediate threat
- Can link student with useful resources to address their situation as they may need extra support or intervention
- Does not go on any student record
Supporting students in distress
Please refer to the supporting students in distress page for your area as the reference noted in each of the videos.