Reporting Behavioral Concerns
Emotional and mental wellness is an enormous concern within the campus community. There are far too many examples of what can happen when stress, physical abuse, substance abuse, chemical imbalances, and other mental disorders overwhelm a person leading them to act destructively toward themselves or others. Often, people caught in such a struggle will indicate their situation through behaviors like:
- Noticeable changes in personality, mannerisms or appearance
- Withdrawal from friends, family and disinterest in once pleasurable activities
- Reduced productivity or performance, persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating
- Increasing moodiness, irritability or hostility
- Expressing feelings of despair
Concerns about the behavior or emotional stability of a classmate or colleague should be communicated to the Counseling Center, an Academic Dean, Human Resources or through the Report Concerns website. Early intervention and support may help a person struggling with their issues to avoid long term problems, better manage their condition and reestablish their behavioral stability. Reporting your concerns, individually or with comments from others, allows the university to offer the individual assistance, address worries and make necessary decisions regarding our community’s safety.
If there are immediate health and safety concerns surrounding a person’s behavior because of written or spoken threats, previous violence or abuse, violations of the law or university policy, or possession of firearms or other weapons, you should call the William & Mary Police Department by dialing 911 or (757) 221-4596.
Mental disorders are common throughout our society and very much affect college age adults. It was recently estimated that in a given year one in four of all Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. Some, but not all, of these disorders are risk factors for suicide or may influence other types of violent behavior. This is important to note because in 2007 homicide and suicide only followed accidental death as the three leading causes of death for people ages 15 to 24. We must pay attention to those around us and know that there are abundant resources for those few who may need help before their behavioral struggles get out of control.
Other resources to call:
- William & Mary Police Department non-emergency number: (757) 221-4596
- Counseling Center: (757) 221-3620
- Office of the Provost: (757) 221-1993
- Resident Assistants for students living on campus
- After hours call the William & Mary Police Department: (757) 221-4596
