Thursday, March 1, email sent to faculty and staff
Dear Colleagues,
We often talk about how our campus is a community, much like a small city inside of a larger city. We are all connected by our commitment to the university and the good work that happens here. As part of those connections, we also form relationships with each other as professors to students, colleague to colleague, and as friend to friend.
Within our role as teacher, advisor or coworkers, we notice when life isn’t going smoothly for others. Sometimes we find ourselves interacting with others who are struggling with a continuum of depression, anxiety, loss, stress, or other issues that can be taxing to mental health.
Tragically, our campus has experienced the loss of students and employees to suicides this academic year. Suicide is a very complicated act and we are often left without clear answers. However, one thing is certain; the pain a person experiences when struggling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health issue is not permanent. There are resources, and treatments can help.
The university offers confidential support and connections to mental health professionals for employees through the Employee Assistance Program. Via this partnership, CSU employees can receive up to six free counseling sessions.
Many of you already take advantage of this program and additional training:
(Having trouble reading this inforgraphic? visit https://source.colostate.edu/mental-health-crisis-support-efforts/)
The university also significantly invests in a variety of support resources for students. We know that individuals often experience mental health challenges for the first time when they are college age, and that the mere experience of leaving home and attending a university can present mental health challenges for students.
Here’s an overall snapshot of mental health resources on campus, and their use:
(Having trouble viewing this inforgraphic? visit https://source.colostate.edu/mental-health-crisis-support-efforts/)
What can you do if you’re struggling or know someone who may be having a difficult time?
- As always, if there is an immediate risk of someone hurting themselves or others, immediately call 911 from any location. If you are on campus, immediately tell the dispatcher that you are on campus and then your campus location.
- Tell Someone: A university service where anyone can share if they are concerned about a student or employee. The university follows up to help make sure that the student or employee who may be having a difficult time get connected to support. Visit tellsomeone.colostate.edu or call during business hours 970-491-1350.
- Employee Assistance Program and CARE Program: The Employee Assistance Program offers a confidential referral to mental health counselors for employees and members of their household and up to six counseling sessions without a charge. The CARE program connects and refers employees to community resources that provide health and social services https://ombudsandeap.colostate.edu/employee-assistance-program/. The 24/7 number for the Employee Assistance Program is 800-497-9133.
- Red Folder: The Red Folder, mailed through campus mail to all employees about every 18 months and given to new employees at orientation has information about various resources available to help employees and students with mental health challenges. An updated version of the folder will be published and mailed this fall.
We want you to know that reaching out for help for yourself or someone else is the first step to feeling better. Rams take care of Rams, and that also means Rams take care of themselves.
Take care of yourself and each other,
Lynn Johnson
Vice President for University Operations
Thursday, March 1, email sent to students (scroll down for email sent to employees)
Feeling overwhelmed or worried about someone else? We can help
Dear Students,
It is easy to romanticize the college experience as the best time of your life. That said, it’s also an experience full of complexities, change and challenge. For some students, the college years can include intense struggles with anxiety, depression and stress.
Some students may feel isolated during those experiences or believe they are the only ones dealing with these feelings. They aren’t. You are not alone.
Tragically, our campus has experienced the loss of students and employees to suicide this academic year. Suicide is a very complicated act and we are often left without clear answers. However, one thing is certain; the pain a person experiences when struggling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health issue is not permanent. There are resources, and treatments can help.
Thankfully, many students at CSU seek help when they face a crisis or when they feel depressed, anxious or any other number of emotions. If you are struggling with emotions that make it difficult for you to connect to others, make it to class, experience happiness, or be engaged with friends and family, please reach out to university resources. In fact, hundreds of students take advantage of university resources to help them navigate difficult times.
(Having trouble viewing this graphic? visit https://source.colostate.edu/mental-health-crisis-support-efforts/)
If you sense that someone you know is struggling, please help them by telling key university offices that you’re concerned.
- As always, if there is an immediate risk of someone hurting themselves or others, immediately call 911 from any location. If you are on campus, immediately tell the dispatcher that you are on campus and then your campus location.
- Tell Someone: A university service where anyone can share if they are concerned about a student or employee. The university follows up to help make sure that the student or employee who may be having a difficult time get connected to support. Visit tellsomeone.colostate.edu or call during business hours 970-491-1350.
- Health Network Counseling Center: Your student fees pay up to five individuals sessions each semester at no additional charge. Visit health.colostate.edu or call 970-491-6053.
- Student Case Management: Helps students navigate a personal crisis, as well as help students understand and get the most out of campus and community resources, ranging from assistance finding emergency housing to helping communicate to faculty and instructors when extenuating circumstances prevent students from attending classes. Visit studentcasemanagement.colostate.edu or call 970-491-8051.
- Residence Life and Apartment Life: Students who live on campus are encouraged to reach out to their residence hall and apartment life staff for assistance.
We want you to know that reaching out for help for yourself or someone else is the first step to feeling better. Rams take care of Rams, and that also means Rams take care of themselves.
Take care of yourselves and each other,
Blanche Hughes
Vice President for Student Affairs
Feb 16: CSUPD asking for assistance identifying potential victims
CSUPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying several individuals who may have unknowingly been victims of a string of criminal incidents on campus between April 2017 and January 2018.
“These individuals are not under investigation,” said CSUPD Chief Scott Harris. “We want to talk with them to make them aware of the incident they may have experienced, and to gather more information that may help us with our ongoing investigation.”
While a suspect has been charged in this investigation, because the investigation is ongoing CSUPD is not releasing additional information about the nature of the crimes or the suspect.
If you are one of the individuals identified by these photos, or if you know who one or several of the individuals are, please contact CSUPD at 970-491-6425 and ask to speak with Sgt. Ramsey Crochet.
Jan 29, 2018: Robbery near campus
Update 3:10 p.m. All Clear: The suspect in the armed robbery of Mulligans has been taken into custody by police. No ongoing threat.
Original message sent Monday, January 29, 2018 3:02 PM
Fort Collins police are currently investigating an armed robbery that occurred at 2:23 p.m. at Mulligans at 2439 South College Ave, in the shopping center at Drake and College.
The suspect is described as a black male with a goatee in his 20s, with a medium build, about 6 feet tall, wearing a black sweater. He was armed with a handgun. He was last seen running southbound through the parking lot in front of the restaurant.
If you see someone who matches his description, please call 911 immediately.
At this time, the south and main campuses are NOT on lockdown, but caution