COMMUNITY OUTREACH Not Alone

Our members Rachel Alley Rachel Cumbie Gabriele Morgan Alisha Abbey Dr. Bonny Dillon Dr. Kelly Walls Dr. Kim Farmer Will Robinson Visit our blog for more information: bluefieldnotalone.wordpress.com

Campus Safety Will Robinson Campus Safety Mobile Phone wrobinson@bluefield.edu 276-326-4313 Campus Safety Mobile Phone 304-887-1795 Campus Safety Office Location 2nd floor of the Dan MacMillian Center (first brick house behind science center)

Campus Counseling Services Bluefield College Website: Campus Resources → Counseling Resources Or call 276-326-4256

Outside Services US Suicide Hotline Text Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Text Suicide Hotline text “start”: to 741-741 Can’t afford help? The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinic can help find affordable services near you.

Community Contacts Churches Centers Abel Center Destiny Outreach Christ Episcopal Church Covenant Baptist Church Crossroads Church FBC Bluefield FBC Princeton John Stewart Methodist Church Midway Christian Church Parkview Baptist Church Abel Center Destiny Outreach Clinch Valley Community Action

What you see/what you don't see Mental Illness: PSA What you see/what you don't see

How to be an Ally: 101 Listen Understand Support Be present, pay attention Give opinions or advice only if they is asked for Understand Listen without judgment Practice empathy, try to understand the situation from their point of view Support Be warm, caring Offer what help you can

How to be an Ally: 101 Practice Self-Care Educate Pay attention to your environment: let your friends know when their behavior isn’t okay. Learn! Educate yourself about a particular disorder, the signs of suicide, what to say/not say to survivors, etc.  Practice Self-Care Know your limits Have a support system in place

If you know someone who is a survivor of sexual assault: DO: Put them at ease. Sexual assault is traumatizing, and survivors can often feel unsafe in even the safest environments. Do what you can to help them feel safe. Examples: Use non-judgmental language, be comforting and understanding, etc. Recognize their trauma. Acknowledge that what they went through is legitimate, and if appropriate, express your sadness or anger at their experience. Remind them that their pain is understandable and that they are free to express it around you. REMEMBER! Some people don’t want to talk about their experience for a variety of reasons. Respect that, and be there for them in other ways that don’t involve them having to talk, such as spending time with them.

If you know someone who is a survivor of sexual assault: DON’T: Question the truth of their claims. A survivor is putting a lot of trust in someone by telling their story, don’t harm them further by questioning it. Make excuses for the assailant. This can be incredibly damaging to a survivor…some may forgive the assailant, but they must be allowed to do that on their own time if they choose to. Tell them what to do. If they ask for your advice, you can suggest a course of action, but never pressure a survivor into any course of action like reporting. For more info visit: http://knowyourix.org/

Sexual Assault PSA Bystander PSA It’s on us: PSA Sexual Assault PSA Bystander PSA

If you know someone with a mental illness or disability: DO: Educate yourself It’s hard to help someone if you don’t know what they’re struggling with! Educate yourself about their illness. Have realistic expectations Mental illness makes some things difficult or impossible. Don’t expect your friend with depression to always be ready to party, or your friend with social anxiety to be the first one to raise their hand in class, even if you know that they know the answer. Don’t pressure them into situations that make them uncomfortable, allow them to move at their own pace. Be present, but set limits. If you are making yourself a part of someone’s support system, be willing to listen and help, but know what you are and are not capable of. Be respectful. Be willing to learn, make mistakes, and grow. Understand that no one knows better what they are going through than the person experiencing the illness, respect that.

If you know someone with a mental illness or disability: DON’T: Minimize their illness Don’t say things like: “I’ve gone through worse.” or “It’s all in your head.” You wouldn’t say that to someone dealing with cancer, so don’t say it to someone dealing with mental illness. Alienate or ostracize them Your friend may have different challenges than you do, but they are still your equal. Don’t exclude them or avoid them because of their illness. Embarrass them If they want to joke about their experience, that’s their right, not yours. Make sure they are okay with talking about their illness in public before you mention it.

Mental Illness Isn't Real End the stigma: PSA Mental Illness Isn't Real

How to be an Ally: What have you learned?