As a USC faculty or staff member, you play an important role in supporting students’ mental health. This page provides tools and guidance to help you feel more confident in recognizing concerns, offering support, and connecting students with the right resources. We also hope these materials help you build skills that promote healing, growth, and well-being—for both you and the students you serve.
How to Report a Student Concern
Anyone in the Carolina community who feels a student is a risk to themselves or the community can report a concern; including students, parents, faculty and staff, and other community members to the Student Care and Outreach Team.
How to Support a Student
If you have witnessed self-injurious behavior like a student talking about suicide or seen concerning behavior like emotional distress or overwhelming grief, refer them to the Student Care and Outreach Team.
Are you concerned about a USC student’s substance use? The Students Taking Initiative & Responsibility (STIR) program empowers students to examine the powerful influence substances can have on their lives in a safe space.
Reporting interpersonal violence (sexual assault, dating or relationship violence or stalking) can help ensure that the survivor gets the help they need, the perpetrator is held accountable, and the community is made safer.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct at the University of South Carolina, you can report it to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.
Trainings & Certificates
Counseling and Psychology Services provide training and presentations both in-person and virtually to help you in supporting students' mental health.
Recognizing and Responding to Distress in College Students (Length: 30- and 60-minute options)
- This workshop is designed for faculty and staff members to recognize signs of psychological distress in students and how to effectively address your concerns with individuals and make effective referrals to university resources.
Question, Persuade, and Respond (QPR) (Length 1.5 hours)
- This training is open to students, faculty, and staff and teaches three simple steps—Question, Persuade, and Refer—to help save a life from suicide. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs of suicide, engage in supportive conversation, and refer individuals to professional resources. Sessions are available both in-person (5–35 participants) and virtually (5–25 participants).
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) (Length: 8 hours - single day or two 4-hour sessions)
- This interactive certification course is designed for students, faculty, and staff to learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. Participants will build skills to provide initial support to someone in crisis and connect them to appropriate care. Sessions are offered in person, with class sizes limited to 5–25 participants.
TAO Resources to add to Syllabi
TAO by Uplift is now integrated into USC’s Blackboard learning management system, making it easy to embed mental health education directly into your courses. Instructors and professors can incorporate TAO modules to support student well-being, enhance emotional intelligence, and promote resilience. Faculty may also choose to assign specific modules as part of class activities or offer them as extra credit opportunities. Integrating TAO into your curriculum helps foster a healthier, more engaged learning environment for all students.
Inform students about TAO within your syllabus:
- You have free access to TAO (Therapy Assistance Online), a self-paced program with videos, exercises, and tools to support your mental health and well-being. TAO gives you the education of therapy—anytime, anywhere—on topics like stress, anxiety, mood, and resilience. Get started today!
What about me?
Employee Well-Being strives to offer comprehensive training, programming, resources and services to faculty and staff at the University of South Carolina to enhance the overall well-being of our employees.