Success Through Wellness: Seeing Yourself in the Campus Mental Health Strategy Case Study Material for Group Discussion Student Affairs Professional Development Day November 26 th, 2014

Instructions for Group Discussion Exercise Each table will receive a case study to discuss You will have 30 minutes to: –Identify the main issues of concern and who is affected –Prioritize the identified concerns –Recommend actions or next steps for all involved –Provide a rationale for your recommendations Identify a spokesperson for your table who will share your response to the above points with the audience Take your break, if needed, during this 30-minute time period

Case Study #1 One of your colleagues comes to you for advice about a student named ‘Diane.’ During their meeting, Diane mentioned how unhappy she was, and alluded to some distressing experiences in her personal life. When your colleague inquired further, Diane broke into tears, said that she didn’t want to talk about it, and told your colleague to forget about her comments. Since this event, Diane hasn’t responded to s or phone calls, and your colleague is “worried sick that something bad has happened.”

Case Study #2 Your nephew, ‘Devin,’ has always been a top student and is attending U of M on a full scholarship. Over the past few weeks, however, he has been missing classes, uncharacteristically moody when interacting with others, and his grades are slipping. Devin’s mother (your sister-in-law) is worried that he is “on something,” and wants you to help address this situation because “you are there and know all about the university.”

Case Study #3 ‘Darwin’ is a friendly international student who frequently visits your office. During the past few visits, however, he has appeared agitated and angry, even slamming his hand on the counter during one visit. Some of the office staff are intimidated by his recent actions and are worried that he might become more aggressive. One staff member said that she is afraid now to walk to her car at the end of the day, fearing that she will encounter Darwin. You have no such fears, but are concerned about the situation.

Case Study #4 You have just attended a team meeting where one staff person, ‘Debra,’ explains that she didn’t complete her assigned tasks. People are aware that she is having some family problems, but her unreliability is now interfering with the project -- which has a tight timeline. A revised plan is developed for the project at the meeting, and all agree that it is acceptable. Later that afternoon, you go to the washroom and hear sobbing coming from one of the stalls. You decide to give the person privacy and go back to your office. Five minutes later, Debra comes to your office to ask a question and it is clear that she has been crying.

Case Study #5 Your colleague, ‘Darius,’ has been on medical leave for an extended period of time and has been cleared to return to work soon. People are worried about his return because he was challenging to work with and there is concern that the “old issues” will soon resurface. You are worried that Darius won’t get a “fair shake” but aren’t sure if there is anything you can do.

Case Study #6 Lately you have been feeling tired, eating poorly, and having trouble concentrating. Nobody at work has yet noticed this, but you are also falling behind at work. You figure it’s “just the usual stuff for this time of year” and decide that it will pass in due time. Some of your coworkers are starting to go to the gym at lunch time and have invited you to join them. You continue to make excuses why you can’t go and are becoming irritated by their good-natured teasing about this topic. Today you lashed out at them when they joked that you were “getting ready to hibernate for the winter.”

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