Risk Determination
Adolescent behavior is often characterized by higher emotional highs and lower emotional lows than other age groups. As a result, there is a need to determine the true nature of the situation and assess the degree of risk.
There are three levels of risk: problem, crisis, and emergency. It is important that the student receive the appropriate level of support as a "problem" can develop into a "crisis", which can then develop into an "emergency".
1. Problem - A problem is a situation that occurs in the normal every day adolescent life. These situations may seem disastrous to students, but most often, the student just needs someone to listen and be supportive.
2. Crisis- A crisis, in this context, is classified by its production of a gut-feeling in the advisor that there is something deeper going on in/with the student. The advisor should listen and offer support to the student, and consult the student's counselor. This helps the support team identify any concerning patterns in the student's behavior or mood that may need to be addressed.
3. Emergency- Emergencies are situations where it is felt the student is in immediate danger. In any of these circumstances, the appropriate response is to immediately contact the student's counselor or school social worker, making sure any phone calls to such individuals are not overheard by others. If the student's counselor is unavailable, contact their house office. Someone from the support team will be available to monitor the student. In cases of emergency, the advisor should either request a member of the support team come walk the student to his/her counselor's (or social worker's) office or the advisor should call the student's house office (or social worker's office) to ensure he/she has arrived safely.
Adolescent behavior is often characterized by higher emotional highs and lower emotional lows than other age groups. As a result, there is a need to determine the true nature of the situation and assess the degree of risk.
There are three levels of risk: problem, crisis, and emergency. It is important that the student receive the appropriate level of support as a "problem" can develop into a "crisis", which can then develop into an "emergency".
1. Problem - A problem is a situation that occurs in the normal every day adolescent life. These situations may seem disastrous to students, but most often, the student just needs someone to listen and be supportive.
2. Crisis- A crisis, in this context, is classified by its production of a gut-feeling in the advisor that there is something deeper going on in/with the student. The advisor should listen and offer support to the student, and consult the student's counselor. This helps the support team identify any concerning patterns in the student's behavior or mood that may need to be addressed.
3. Emergency- Emergencies are situations where it is felt the student is in immediate danger. In any of these circumstances, the appropriate response is to immediately contact the student's counselor or school social worker, making sure any phone calls to such individuals are not overheard by others. If the student's counselor is unavailable, contact their house office. Someone from the support team will be available to monitor the student. In cases of emergency, the advisor should either request a member of the support team come walk the student to his/her counselor's (or social worker's) office or the advisor should call the student's house office (or social worker's office) to ensure he/she has arrived safely.