UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) reminds faculty, staff and campus leaders about The Red Folder and how to recognize, respond to and refer students experiencing distress. The Red Folder course is now on Penn State’s Learning Resource Network (LRN).
The Red Folder course is one element of a three-part toolkit for supporting students in distress, which includes The Red Folder LRN course, a physical folder, and The Red Folder website. This initiative seeks to help those interacting with students recognize and respond effectively to and refer Penn State students in distress. The Red Folder does not ask Penn State staff or faculty to take on the mental health professional role but gives them resources and best practices to feel informed and empowered if the occasion arises.
“People often think of suicide prevention as one big training or a formula of specific strategies to practice with precision," said Stephanie Stama, CAPS assistant director for community education and outreach. "In actuality, every small moment of interacting with someone is an opportunity to enhance emotional well-being and, in turn, reduce the risk of suicide. Being the considerate human you are can be all it takes.”
The type and amount of distress students are experiencing will require different actions and resources. Students may experience various levels of distress: high (red), moderate (yellow) or low (green). The physical folders and website offer specific examples of action steps and statements for each level to increase a helper’s confidence when supporting someone else. It highlights potential academic, psychological and physical signs of student distress and safety risk indicators. Campus and local resources are included in both printed and online versions; however, the website will have the most up-to-date resources and information.
The Red Folder course was created to help others understand how to use the physical folder and website. This 30-minute interactive course is easily accessible and can be referred to as needed after completion. The Red Folder course is available 24/7 and is encouraged for onboarding and training throughout the year. Annual updates can be expected, so it is recommended to reorient to the course at least once a year. To access the course, sign into Penn State’s Learning Resource Network and search the term “The Red Folder.” It also can be accessed directly through The Red Folder LRN course link. More information about training and the toolkit can be found on The Red Folder training website.
For more information on the Red Folder, visit the Student Affairs or Red Folder websites.