Resources for Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff
Please note that the resources in the self-help library and online screenings are only intended to help provide you with more information about issues you may be facing. The resources identified are not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, and treatment and should not be used as such. Bennington College, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of Student Life, and the Health Center cannot be held responsible for any content contained on links that are independently composed by sources outside of Bennington College. Any link to an outside resource does not indicate endorsement of that resource, and does not necessarily reflect the policies, opinions, or practices of Bennington College, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of Student Life, and the Health Center.
Being an international student is a unique experience that can be both exciting and challenging. Sometimes the challenges can be especially difficult and can contribute to stress and mental health problems. Difficulties related but not limited to cross-cultural adjustment, being away and far from home, language barriers, differences in educational systems and academic expectations, harassment, family pressures or conflicts, financial issues, and visa and immigration issues can impact a student's mental health, academic functioning, and overall wellbeing.
At Bennington, there are people in various campus offices that are trained and ready to help you with these and other concerns that you might be having.
The staff of International Student Services (ISS) can help you with questions regarding visa issues, travel to and from the United States, money, climate, what to bring to college, health insurance, and how to get support for any academic issues that you might be having. Please visit the ISS website for more information and resources.
The staff of Psychological Services can help you address concerns related to your mental, emotional, and relational health. You can schedule an appointment to speak confidentially with one of the counselors by calling Health Services at 802-440-4426 or sending an email. You can also attend one of the support groups specifically designed for international students or any other support group offered to students by Psychological Services. In an emergency or crisis, you can talk to a counselor at any time of day or night by calling Campus Safety and asking to speak to the therapist on-call. You can also check out the online resources for students and families on the Psychological Services website some of these resources are available in different languages.
The staff of Health Services provides students with direct and preventive medical care, health counseling, and education outreach. Its staff includes physicians, registered nurses, a women's health nurse practitioner. You can schedule an appointment with a medical provider by calling Health Services at 802-440-4426 or sending an email.
The staff of Student Health Promotion provide programming that allows students to access information around well-being and health promotion, as well as programs aimed at risk reduction. For more information on any health education topic, or for programming information, contact Ali Tartaglia, DrPH Director of Student Health Promotion by email or at 802-440-4755 or 802-440-HOPE (x4673) for 24/7 (confidential). Additionally, you can check out the Student Health Promotion website.
As a member of the college faculty or staff, you are often in the unique position to be the first to see or notice that a student may be struggling with academic, social, or life challenges. For many different reasons, students can sometimes feel more comfortable sharing their struggles with faculty or staff rather than with their family or friends. When students are distressed or disclose a particular personal challenge to you, it can feel hard to know what to do or how to help. You may feel overwhelmed with the situation, unsure of how to proceed, or whether you are the person who is in a position to be helpful. We hope that the following information can assist you in recognizing potential symptoms of distress and responding compassionately and appropriately so that students get the support they need. Your willingness to listen, engage, and support students can and does make a difference. Counseling and Psychological Services offers training and educational workshops to the campus community to help faculty and staff better assist students. To request an in-person training, please contact email healthservices@bennington.edu or call x4426.
Material on how to help students in distress was adapted from the University of California Red Folder Initiative and Penn State Red Folder.
Physical violence (e.g., shoving, grabbing, assault, use of weapons)
Implying or making direct threat to harm self or others
Academic assignments or works of art dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, rage, worthlessness, isolation, despair, acting out, suicidal ideations/violent behaviors
Stay Safe
If there is an imminent danger to the student, you, or anyone else, CALL CAMPUS SAFETY IMMEDIATELY x767 or 802-447-4250.
Stay Calm
Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself. Use a calm voice when talking and asking questions. Find a quiet, private space to talk with the student. Use a non-confrontational approach, avoid responding in a way that can escalate distress.
Take Your Time
If this is NOT an imminently dangerous situation, take time to think through what might be the most helpful next step.
Seek Consultation
You are not alone. Ask those around you for help. Consult with a colleague or call another office on campus.
Use Active Listening
Make eye contact and give your full attention. Restate what the student says to make sure you understand what is causing the distress and/or what they are asking for help with.
Ask Direct Questions
Don’t be afraid to directly ask the student if they are feeling confused, under the influence of substances, having thoughts of suicide or harming themselves or others (by asking, you are not instilling the thought or increasing risk).
Give Concrete Help
Help get the student to the next step (e.g., contact the academic advisor with the student to make an appointment; help them call health services to schedule an appointment, etc).
Responding to disclosures of sexual harassment and misconduct
Determine the level of urgency and related options:
Is the student a danger to themselves/others OR does the student need some other assistance immediately?
YES: Conduct is clearly dangerous or threatening, including self-harm or harm to others. Call Campus Safety x767 immediately
NO: Not concerned for anyone’s immediate safety, but the student is having significant academic and/or personal issues and could use some support. Refer the student to campus resources, as appropriate.
MAYBE: Student is with me currently and shows signs of distress, but it is not clear how serious it is. Call Campus Safety x767 and request to speak to the on-call therapist for consultation and support. In addition to the on-call therapist, consider consulting with a colleague about the situation. Connect with Laurie Kobik for academic concerns and Natalie Basil for any other concerns.
The student is not with me currently but I’m concerned about:
