A Guide for Students
Helping Someone in Distress Have you noticed a friend or peer struggling with stress, mental health or similar concerns? They may be experiencing a crisis or emergency and need your help. You can support them by using these 3 steps to understand the situation, respond appropriately and connect them to the right services and resources. Are you struggling? Help is available: go.yorku.ca/well-being-resources.
What Can I Do? Mental health challenges can happen to anyone. As a student, you or someone you know may be struggling and not know where to turn. Depending on the situation, the person may need emergency services, immediate help or could benefit from campus or community resources. If you’re concerned, you can use the RRR Model to understand what’s happening, respond appropriately and direct accordingly. Your help could make all the difference. go.yorku.ca/rrr-model
More Feet on the Ground: Recognize, Respond and Refer (RRR)
RECOGNIZE
RESPOND
REFER
signs of mental health concerns or distress.
with empathy and understanding.
to appropriate campus or community resources.
Step 1
Recognize It’s important to be able to recognize signs of stress, distress or general mental health concerns. Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you or someone you know may be struggling: • Have they been acting out of character or unusually? • Have they been struggling or asking for advice? • Has anyone else expressed concern about them?
Step 2
Respond Do you have a gut feeling that something might be wrong or “off” with this person that has persisted and/or become worse over time? Trust your judgement. Find out more by: • Creating a supportive and non-judgmental space for them to feel heard and valued. • Using supportive language to show understanding and compassion. • Expressing concern for their well-being. Worried that you’re overstepping? Be honest with them. Let them know you’re concerned and may reach out for help. While privacy is important, their safety takes priority.
Hey, do you think we could talk about something for a minute?
I am feeling a bit unsure about something and thought I should say something.
I have kind of noticed something and wanted to bring it up.