Why this is important: Students with thought disorders (such as bi-polar and schizophrenia) are often met with confusion, fear, and extreme concern by case managers and others. This program will help demystify concerning behaviors such as hallucinations and obsessive and delusional thoughts, giving case managers some practical guidance on how to respond and work with individuals with thought disorders. 
 
Description: This micro-learning course offers practical, research-based guidance explaining the range of various thought disorders and how behaviors related to them may occur on campus. Easy-to-follow dos and don’ts will be provided outlining how case managers should respond to these behaviors and how to set boundaries, de-escalate situations, and make referrals to a multidisciplinary behavioral intervention team for follow up, treatment, and community support. Often these behaviors lead to community disruptions and/or emergency response by police or medical staff. The course will review the importance of a calm, confident stance by case managers based on demystifying the fear and concerns these extreme mental illness symptoms may cause for those who don’t understand how thought disorders manifest.
 
Case managers will be able to:
Review the common myths related to thought disorders regarding harmful or dangerous behaviors
Identify common types of related behaviors such as hallucinations, mania, and delusional, obsessive, and paranoid thoughts
Demonstrate practical de-escalation skills and the importance of connecting the student to the multidisciplinary behavioral intervention team, as well as clinical and community support 
Talk to other students about their concerns surrounding the student experiencing thought disorders to reduce concern, fear, and panic
 
This course can also be purchased as part of the Mental Health Bundle.
 
Please note, these trainings are designed for counselors working on a college campus providing crisis support and guidance to students. They are often referred to as non-clinical counselors or counselors who work under FERPA rather than state confidently laws.