The C.A.R.E. Team
Concern Assessment and Response (CARE) Team’s goal is to identify and respond to students, faculty or staff who may harm themselves or others on campus or who may simply be struggling and in need of assistance and resources.
As a member of the campus community your interaction with those on campus allows you to notice a change in behavior which is one of the first indicators that something is wrong and that the individual needs assistance.
Distress signals may include: Depression–poor concentration, loss of interest, withdrawal; Agitation–anxious, unable to sit still; Disorientation–seems ‘out of it,’ may exhibit bizarre behavior; Suicidal expression–thoughts or threats; Alcohol and/or drug abuse–including coming to class/work intoxicated and/or high.
You may also notice: Increased irritability, undue aggressive or abrasive behavior; Excessive procrastination, poor class/work attendance, little or no work completed; Marked change in personal hygiene; Dependency (i.e. the person who hangs around or makes excessive appointments to see you); Alarming or dangerous behaviors.
Urgent concerns may warrant immediate intervention: Suicide risk; loss of control; possibility of harming/hurting oneself or someone else; sexual assault; physical assault; recent death of a friend or family member; out of touch with reality.
Anyone can and should report concerning behavior. **Report what you know with the CARE team when you feel the individual needs intervention or assistance. The earlier the CARE team receives information, the more options we have to assist the person you are concerned about. You may submit a report online or contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 575-646-1722 to speak with a staff member.
As the reporting party, you are encouraged to identify yourself due to your interaction with the person you serve an important role in the monitoring of the situation; you can assist the team if clarification or additional information is needed. Due to the confidentiality of most cases; some or no information is likely to be shared with you. We would like to have you as an ally in this process to inform us if the management plan is working. If you have shared a concern, and see no change in behavior, or continue to be worried about the situation, please contact us again.
Anonymous reports will be evaluated based on the information provided. However, providing incomplete information may not allow the individual to receive the help or resources needed.
After we receive the initial report, a member of the team will check with offices across campus to determine if other concerning behaviors are being displayed by the person you are concerned about. The CARE team will discuss the behaviors of concern and create an action plan to assist the individual, if needed.
**If you intentionally create a false report, you may be subject to University sanctions.
C.A.R.E. consists of representation from the following offices:
Aggie Health and Wellness Center (Medical Services & Student Counseling Services)
Community College Campuses: Alamogordo, Dona Ana, and Grants
Disability Access Services
Housing and Residential Life
NMSU HR - Employee & Labor Relations
NMSU Fire
NMSU Police
Office of the Dean of Students
Office of Institutional Equity
Office of Student Assistance Services
Student Conduct and Community Standards
University General Counsel
