In considering what to report to the CARE Team there are two main areas:

Concerning Behaviors, Words, or Information
Students, staff, faculty, and parents are encouraged to contact the CARE Team if they have strong concerns about the behaviors or actions of a Saint Paul College student. Some examples of concerns you might report are:

• Significant or uncontrollable anger problems
• Threats, whether direct/explicit or indirect/implied, at self or others
• Fixation on an individual or office
• Expression of strong feelings of victimhood
• Any expressed actions or fantasies of violence, cruelty, shootings, or terrorism
• Reports of significant police contact (especially related to violence, stalking, or threats)
• Expressed mental health or behavioral history related to violence or harm towards self or others
• Stalking, following others seemingly with intent, or patterns of waiting for others without consent
• Suicidal or homicidal ideation
• Evidence of alcohol or drug abuse
• Abusive words or actions
• Possible other inappropriate or disruptive behaviors

Students in Significant Life Difficulty, Mental Health Concerns, and Crisis
The CARE Team is made up of people from different offices that all have elements of student support and care. We also have access to and familiarity with various resources both on and off campus. We work with resources both on and off campus to support students in need. We encourage you to report student situations where they need are experiencing:

• Homelessness
• Food insecurity
• High stress and/or possible mental health concerns
• Issues of safety in their home, workplace, or other spaces
• Serious financial issues
• Significant difficulties outside of school that impact their ability to engage at SPC
  • Like high family stress, death in the family, serious medical issue, recent incarceration or hospital trip, etc.

To make a report to the CARE Team, go to Saint Paul College’s File a Report Page. You can also connect with these individuals/offices on campus:

• Dean of Student Success: Pepe Wonosikou
  651.403.4007 – Administration Office – pepe.wonosikou@saintpaul.edu
• Director of Equity and Belonging: Mike Gerold
  651.846.1327 – Administration Office – michael.gerold@saintpaul.edu

Confidential Resources
If you could like to talk to a confidential person on campus, you can reach out to someone from the Counseling and Wellness team:

• Mental Health Director: Merrie Haskins
  651.350.3035 – Counseling and Wellness Office – merrie.haskins@saintpaul.edu
• Mental Health Therapist: Pam Norling
  651.350.3037 – Counseling and Wellness Office – pamela.norling@saintpaul.edu

Please be aware that the Counseling and Wellness Team are not a crisis line either – they may be with students or in other spaces if you call them. If you or someone around you is experiencing a crisis, please call Public Safety at 651.846.1322.

Once you make a report to the CARE Team, someone from the team will follow up with you to let you know that they’ve received it. They will assign the case to someone on the team and we will begin working on the situation. The team will maintain contact with you over the coming days or weeks as we work to get the student support and provide holistic care to you and others who may be involved.

We may be limited in what we can share going forward – this is not because we don’t trust you! We legally must be careful about the information we share. We will share anything relevant and needed, and we will also provide guidance and instructions as needed.

If the case involves possible threat, we will partner with you to make sure we are all maintaining a safe, healthy environment for the campus.

If you have significant concerns that you feel are not being addressed or if you feel unsafe at the school, please let us know.

Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognized training that teaches individuals about mental health challenges and provides tools to engage and support those experiencing mental health challenges. We highly recommend that all employees at Saint Paul College go through the Mental Health First Aid training. This training is offered multiple times throughout the year, and dates/times are usually included in the Campus Buzz when they are offered. If you have questions about the training or want to learn more, please contact Wendy Roberson, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Human Resources at wendy.roberson@saintpaul.edu. You can also learn more about the training generally at the Mental Health First Aid Training Website.

De-Escalation Tips
Here are some helpful de-escalation tips put together by some members of the CARE Team:

• Listen Actively and Explicitly – it’s the most powerful tool for de-escalation!
• Validate/Acknowledge Feelings – even a simple “That’s incredibly hard.” can be a form of support.
• Non-Judgement – everyone is experiencing their own difficulties, and it’s not our place to judge. Consider how you frame your questions or statements with this in mind!
• Get on the Same Team – try to communicate that you’re on their side to help them figure this out and/or get them to someone who can provide care.
• Calm Demeanor – lower your volume and try to meet everything thrown your way with quiet stability. Consider the cultural components to this too – this may present differently to different folks.
• Questions/Clarification – if you’re unsure what someone means, ask for clarification. And re-state your understanding of the issue/situation for confirmation.
• Give Respect – assume best intentions and see everyone as complex people with strengths, weaknesses, and unique experiences.
• Setting Limits – you also shouldn’t sit back and take abuse. Yellin about a situation is different than yelling at you. If you are being yelled/cursed at, you can end your engagement respectfully.
• Know Your Outlets/Resources – know who you can go to if things escalate. Supervisors, others in your area, even Public Safety if there is threat.
• Put on Your Own Mask First – de-escalation takes calm, empathy, compassion, and a lot of quick thinking. You can’t do that well from an empty cup! Recognize what you need day-to-day, and take care of yourself if something happens. Ask your supervisor for support if you need to.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
EAP provides access to confidential counseling sessions and other resources to support you. Additional information about the EAP Program is available on the MMB website.  

In this section you can find some helpful external links for resources in case a crisis arises:

General Emergency Line – 911

National Mental Health Crisis Line – 988

Crisis Text Line – Text “HOME” to 741741 or text “AYUDA” for help in Spanish

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth Support Line) – 866.488.7386

Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline – 833.600.2670

Twin Cities County Mental Health Crisis Teams:

• Anoka County: 763.755.3801
• Carver County: 952.442.7601
• Dakota County: 952.891.7171
• Washington County: 651.275.7400
• Ramsey County: adults – 651.266.7900, children – 651.266.7878
• Scott County: 952.818.3702
• Hennepin County: adults or children – 612.596.1223

The current members of the CARE Team are:

• Chair – Mike Gerold, Director of Equity and Belonging
  michael.gerold@saintpaul.edu, 651.846.1327, Office 1429
• Pamela Norling, Mental Health Therapist
  pamela.norling@saintpaul.edu, 651.350.3037, Office 1245
• Tom Bergs, Director of Public Safety
  thomas.bergs@saintpaul.edu, 651.846.1676, Office 1461
• Nee Na Xiong, Director of Access and Disability Services
  nee.xiong@saintpaul.edu, 651.846.1547, Office 1407
• Pepe Wonosikou, Dean of Student Success
  pepe.wonosikou@saintpaul.edu, 651.403.4007, Office 1415​
• Merrie Haskins, Director of Mental Health
  merrie.haskins@saintpaul.edu, 651.350.3035, Office 1240