BC3 C.A.R.E. Team

Your safety and well-being matter.

The C.A.R.E. (Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation) Team at BC3 supports students, faculty, and staff who may be experiencing distress or displaying concerning behavior. Our goal is to help before a situation becomes a crisis—through early outreach, care, and connection. We work together as a college community to keep BC3 a safe, supportive place to learn and grow.

Is this an emergency?

The C.A.R.E. Team is not an emergency response team. If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent help, dial 9-1-1 or call BC3 Campus Police at 724-287-8711, Ext. 8450.

When should you submit a concern?

Trust your instincts. If something feels “off,” it’s okay to say something. The earlier we know, the sooner we can help.

You can report:

Unusual, erratic, or disruptive behavior
Sudden extended absences from class
Alarming themes in writing or speech
Statements about harming oneself or others
Anything that causes concern for someone’s safety or well-being

Submit a C.A.R.E. Report

When in doubt, fill it out.

Use our secure online form to report a concern about a student. It’s always better to report than to ignore a concern. Reports can be made confidentially.

Don’t know who to contact? Just submit the form—we’ll route it to the right person.

For concerns about faculty or staff, contact Human Resources at 724-287-8711, Ext. 8353.

Access Report Form

Additional Resources

National

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 9-8-8 to speak with a counselor who can offer support for you or a loved one. You are not alone.

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor.

The Trevor Project: Text START to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386 to speak with a trained counselor who understands the challenges that LGBTQ+ young people face.

Trans Lifeline: Call 877-565-8860 for community connections, support and resources need to survive and thrive.

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 9-8-8 and then Press 1 or text 838255.

State or Local

Butler County: Center for Community Resources: Butler County Crisis Services - Call: 1-800-292-3866 or text 63288 to connect with a trained Crisis Specialist.

Clarion County: Center for Community Resources: Clarion County Crisis Intervention Services – Call 814-226-7223 or text 63288 to connect with a trained Crisis Specialist.

Clearfield County: Community Connections of Clearfield Jefferson Counties – Call 1-800-341-5040 or text 63288 to connect with a trained Crisis Specialist.

Elk County: Center for Community Resources: Cameron and Elk Counties – Call 1-800-652-0562 or text 63288 to connect with a trained Crisis Specialist.

Jefferson County: Community Connections of Clearfield Jefferson Counties – Call 1-800-341-5040 or text 63288 to connect with a trained Crisis Specialist.

Lawrence County: Human Services Center – Call 724-652-9000.

Prevent Suicide PA – Pennsylvania County Taskforces

On Campus

If there is an immediate danger to someone’s safety such as risk of suicide, violence, a serious medical emergency, etc. call 9-1-1 or the BC3 Campus Police Department located in the lower level of the Student Success Center right away.

Daytime Phone (M-F 8am-4pm): 724-284-8500

Campus Police Patrol Phone (M-F 7am-11pm): 724-991-1020

For a mental health or behavioral crisis that is urgent but not an immediate life-threatening emergency, contact a member of the C.A.R.E Team or the Dean of Students Office at 724-287-8711 ext. 8606.

Off Campus

Please refer to Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotlines.

BC3 has partnered with Glade Run Lutheran Services as an Outpatient Counseling Services provider. Counselors are available upon request at BC3’s main campus or via telehealth to students, faculty and staff. Medical assistance or private insurance is required.

National and Local Support

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Support Group Northern Region: A support group for survivors of suicide who reside in the Pittsburgh northern region. Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 7:00-8:30pm at St. Peter’s Reformed Church 320 E. Grandview Ave. in Zelienople.

iRise to Heal: Adult grief group for those who have lost someone to suicide. Meetings at the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 6:00-7:30pm at First United Methodist Church 200 E North St in Butler.

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text NAMI to 62640. Available Monday-Friday from 10:00am-10:00pm EST.

NAMI Butler County PA: Butler Warmline 724-431-2488 or 1-866-431-2489 6pm-9pm daily. The Warmline is a service to anyone who needs a caring and sympathetic listener in the Butler County Area. Warmline staff are not therapists or counselors. In case of emergency, you should contact 9-1-1 or a crisis hotline.
NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

The Jed Foundation (JED): Offers resources for students and universities to support young people’s mental health

The Trevor Project: Text START to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386 to speak with a trained counselor who understands the challenges that LGBTQ+ young people face.

Persad Center (of Pittsburgh)

United Way of Southwestern PA: Text your zip code to 898-211 or call 2-1-1 to be connected to financial, housing, food, employment, health care, transportation resources and more in your area.

National

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788

RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673

Local

Butler County: Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICe): 24-hour hotline 724-283-8700.

Armstrong County: HAVIN – 24-hour hotline 1-800-841-8881

Clarion County: Passages, Inc. – 24-hour hotline 1-800-793-3620

SAFE, INC.: 24-hour hotline 1-800-992-3039

Clearfield County: Passages, Inc. – 24-hour hotline 1-800-793-3620

Elk County: CAPSEA – 24-hour hotline 814-772-1227

Jefferson County: Passages, Inc. – 24-hour hotline 1-800-793-3620

Lawrence County: Arise – 24-hour hotline 724-652-9036

Mental Health First Aid teaches you steps to be the initial support to someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing crisis. Like traditional first aid, it provides temporary help until professional treatment is received or the crisis resolves. It is taught using the ALGEE action plan of:

A.pproach and assess for suicide or harm
L.isten non-judgmentally
G.ive reassurance and information
E.ncourage appropriate professional help
E.ncourage appropriate self-help and other support strategies

Don’t be afraid to ask someone if they have a plan to kill themselves. Having thoughts and having a plan are two separate things. You are not there to diagnose or judge, but to listen non-judgmentally and bridge the gap to professional care.

Read more about Mental Health First Aid.

There is no single cause for suicide, but there are several warning signs and risk factors that you can be aware of to help someone who may in distress or experiencing thoughts of suicide. If you are or someone you know exhibits any of these, do not be afraid to reach out for help.

Talk

If a person talks about:

Killing themselves
Feeling hopeless
Having no reason to live
Being a burden to others
Feeling trapped
Unbearable pain

Behavior

Behaviors may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss, or change:
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching for online methods
Withdrawing from activities
Isolating from family and friends
Sleeping too much or too little
Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
Giving away prized possessions
Aggression
Fatigue

Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

Depression
Anxiety
Loss of interest
Irritability
Humiliation/Shame
Agitation/Anger
Relief/Sudden Improvement

Read more about warning signs and risk factors on American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or Prevent Suicide PA.

At BC3, we believe your mental health matters – just as much as your academic and personal success. The Dean of Students, alongside the Executive Director of Human Resources / Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, will serve as the main points of contact to distribute suicide prevention and mental health counseling information at minimum twice per year: at the start of the fall semester in August/September and at the start of the spring semester in January. The communications will be sent to students and employees via their myBC3 email account.

In addition, the Dean of Students and Executive Director of Human Resources / Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer are available to assist students and employees with referrals to the Center for Community Resources in crisis situations and to Glade Run Lutheran Services for outpatient mental health counseling. BC3 also has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

BC3 is a member of the Butler County Suicide Coalition and partners with various community agencies to bring information, programming, and events to our campus locations.

In the event of a confirmed death by suicide, BC3 will make support services readily available and will communicate directly with affected students, faculty, and staff members. The President and President’s Cabinet will work in conjunction with the Communications & Marketing Office to share information with appropriate parties.

Questions regarding this plan can be directed to the Dean of Students, Morgan Rizzardi at morgan.rizzardi@bc3.edu.