3 students walking outside on VIU Nanaimo Campus

Cowichan campus tools for supporting students in distress

VIU commits to supporting all students in reaching their full academic and personal potential. We recognize that concerns for a student's academic or well-being will range in seriousness. As a caring community member, you may not always be sure of appropriate next-steps when you are supporting students in distress (SSID).

Below are steps to help you connect students with the right supports.

For the printable and interactive PDF version, please select:

Responding to students in distress

  • Behaviour changes (e.g., social withdrawal, signs of agitation, increased substance use, changes in appearance)
  • Concerning situation (e.g., bullying, harassment, discrimination, emotional distress)
  • Academic concerns
  • Accessibility related concerns
  • Financial concerns

Actions that you can take are:

  • Recent traumatic events (sexualized or physical violence, accident, loss)
  • Acute emotional distress
  • Significant concerns about wellness
  • Suicide: thoughts or feelings

Actions you can take are:

  • There is a suicide plan or intention

Actions you can take are:

  • Acts of violence
  • Immediate danger to self or others
  • Sustained a serious injury

Actions you can take are:

Additional resources for students in distress

  • Duncan Taxi: 250·746·4444
  • Transit - Cowichan Valley