SARS Care Team
If you have a concern about a student’s well-being, this page will help guide you through getting them the supports they need.
MHC has established a Care Team to offer support to our community and to assist in addressing situations in which students are displaying behaviors that are concerning. The focus of the Care Team is care and concern and follow up for MHC students who may be at risk. Care Team members receive referrals, coordinate resources and implement a coordinated response with the goal of providing assistance to the individual while mitigating risk to keep the MHC community healthy and safe. The Care team meets regularly, and others may be called in as needed to support the assessment process. Students, employees and family members can refer a student to MHC’s Care Team. To make a referral, use the SARS referral form.
Crisis Response
If you have concerns about the imminent safety and well-being of someone on campus, please call MHC Security at 403-529-3911.
The Care Team is positioned for early intervention. Our goal is to connect with an individual before they reach a crisis point. The team meets weekly and may meet more frequently if the need arises, but it is not a 24/7 crisis team. If you need the Mental Health Crisis Team please call or text 9-8-8.
Depending on the type of concern reported, Care Team members will reach out to provide appropriate support and intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact SARS if you feel the student is in need of additional intervention and support outside of what you are able to provide. SARS has the connections to get the right help for the situation.
Anyone can make a referral. Students, faculty, staff, family and friends are all welcome to contact the SARS team if they have concerns about a Medicine Hat College student.
Do not worry that you are over-reacting. SARS will assess risks and act to help the student as needed. And early intervention is often the key to reducing the risk of potential crisis.
You will receive notification that the SARS referral has been submitted. The Care Team will contact you only if needed to support the student. The Care Team follows up with the student within 24 hours of receiving the report.
*Please note, the SARS referral system is monitored Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm. If you need immediate assistance, call MHC security at 403-529-3911
You can report any behaviour you find concerning, troubling, disruptive or highly unusual for that individual such as:
- Changes in typical personality (for example, the person is more withdrawn than usual
- Experience of a traumatic event (such as the loss of a loved one, accident, violence)
- Social withdrawal, isolation, loneliness, lack of support
- Indicators of deteriorating mental health
- Mentions of struggling with mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, substance use, eating disorders
- Relationship difficulties (such as conflict, violence, loss)
- Lack of basic needs (such as housing, food, transportation)
- Marked irritability, anger, hostility
- Explosive or impulsive behaviours
- Delusional or paranoid speech or actions
- Difficulty connecting to others
- Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Talking or writing about themes of suicide and loss of will to live
- Direct mentions of self-injury, suicide or harm to others
- Chronic fatigue
- Marked change in personal hygiene or appearance
- Attendance to class or work hungover or intoxicated
- Signs of self-injury
- Lack of empathy or concern for consequences
You can report other activities as well in the details section of the SARS referral.