Newswise — Sometimes the first public indication that a student is troubled can be a devastating one: a shooting or a suicide. But usually there are earlier signs, noticed by a classmate or a teacher — personality changes, disturbing remarks, unpredictable behavior.

Michigan Technological University leaders believe that early intervention can be the key to helping such students and preventing catastrophic incidents. So in 2007, the University created an Early Intervention Team to review, screen and provide referrals for potentially at-risk students.

They also established a process for people to confidentially report potential problems. Eye-catching yellow posters were placed around campus, inviting people to anonymously report problematic behavior. The team shared the process for reporting potential problems and the assurance of confidentiality with academic departments and at student and new faculty orientation.

During the 2009-2010 academic year, the Early Intervention Team opened 86 cases. The following year, the number rose to 121. In a majority of cases, referrals were made to campus or community counseling or addiction treatment services.

It’s impossible to quantify what didn’t happen, of course, but Pat Gotschalk, associate dean of students, says “Primarily, we helped prevent students from harming themselves.”

Some might say that early intervention is an invasion of privacy, and Gotschalk agrees that “it’s a fine line between unusual behavior and potentially harmful behavior.”

But, she says, today’s college and university students are extremely anxious about money, grades and their futures. “We address issues that cause anxiety, and it helps the students just to know that someone is addressing their concerns.” The confidentiality component also protects student, faculty and staff privacy, she points out.