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Vanessa Hunter-Silverman
Senior Education Specialist
Phone: 904-956-8243
Email: hunter-silverman.vanessa@mayo.edu
Schedule an appointment (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ET)
Page Content
Prevention and Resource Support
The CARE (Consultation Assessment Resource Empathy) Team
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We CARE for each other
Transitions, new environments, and handling demanding schedules and expectations can be stressful. Response to this stress can result in behavioral changes that interfere with an individual’s ability to live, learn, and produce well. CARE stands for Consultation, Assessment, Resource and Empathy. The CARE team aids the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science community by providing support, guidance, and intervention for learners exhibiting concerning behaviors that may indicate distress.
The CARE team responds to referrals received from faculty, staff, or learners in the Mayo Clinic community. The team’s goal is to identify barriers and develop an action plan to best support the learner. The CARE team is not a crisis team, but rather a proactive preventative team providing intervention before behaviors escalate or high-risk situations occur. The primary approach of the team to each concern is that of care and not of discipline.
Have questions or feedback? Email MCCMSCRM@mayo.edu. Need to refer a learner? Make a referral.
- Who can refer
- How to refer
- When to refer
- Distressed learner signs
- What to expect
Who can refer
- Anyone involved in the educational, research, or clinical experience of a MCCMS learner
- Anyone involved in supporting a MCCMS learner (mentors, peers, PI, PD, OM, etc.)
- Learners or peers
- Any member of the campus community
How to refer
- Email any concerns, questions, or requests to MCCMSCRM@mayo.edu
- Submit a make a referral form
- Referrals can be made anonymously
Remember: The CARE Team is not a crisis line or crisis team. If the learner situation you are concerned about is an emergency, call 911 or assist the learner in getting to the closest Emergency Department.
When to refer
It can be difficult to determine when help is needed. Here are some general examples for when a CARE referral may be needed:
- If you are concerned about the welfare of an individual, yourself, or others
- If the behavior is unusual or abnormal from what you know of the person
- If the individual’s behavior is starting to impact the ability of others to live and learn on campus
- If your efforts to manage a significant behavioral issue have not resolved the issue
- If you have referred an individual to CARE in the past and there seems to be no improvement or behavior seems to be worsening
Confidentiality
We understand the sensitivity of the information shared and respect the privacy of all parties involved. The information will only be shared with those who need to assess the situation and provide support for the learner. The health and safety of the learner and our community is our top priority, and there could be exceptions to this confidentiality if the CARE team is made aware of an immediate threat to self or others, as required by law. Referrals can be made anonymously; however, it is very helpful to gather more information from the referring party if additional context will help us provide the best support.
Distressed learner signs
| Academic concerns |
Behavioral concerns |
Emotional concerns |
Physical concerns |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Marked decline in performance Unexpected change in performance Sudden change in attendance Inability to cope with training pressures Concerning communication patterns Poor focus, attention, or decision making |
Unprofessional conduct with peers Disruptive behaviors Verbal or physical harassment Concerning use of alcohol or other drugs Thoughts or threats of harming others Explosive or impulsive behavior Risky behaviors Delusional or paranoid speech or actions |
Extreme emotional outbursts or overreaction to circumstances Social withdrawal, isolation, loneliness Overly nervous, tense, tearful Death of a loved one Low frustration tolerance of others Marked irritability, anger, hostility Lack of empathy toward others |
Chronic fatigue or falling asleep at inappropriate times Marked change in personal hygiene or appearance Noticeable change in energy or weight Confused, disjointed thoughts, speech, or actions Signs of self-injury |
What to expect
Initial review
After a CARE Team referral is submitted, it is reviewed and assessed for risk within 24 business hours. If additional information is needed, the referring party may be contacted.
Assignment
The referral is routed and managed by the appropriate Office of Wellness and Academic Support staff for the initial steps of offering learner support.
Response
The CARE Team will utilize resources within Mayo Clinic or with designated providers in the community to offer appropriate interventions and effective support.
Responses may include:
- Offering resources or support to those involved with the learner
- Working collaboratively with the learner to identify and offer available resources
- Providing consultative support to the referring party
- Contacting Mayo Clinic security or local law enforcement for assistance if a high level of risk requires immediate action for safety.
*It is important to know that in many situations it is not possible to provide detailed follow-up information to a referring party. The CARE Team is governed by FERPA and information is shared only on an educational need-to-know basis.
Resource navigation
Being a student or trainee at Mayo Clinic can come with some unexpected challenges. We work with learners to navigate obstacles and identify resource solutions. Should a learner need to step away to take a medical leave of absence, support is available to ensure a smooth transition throughout the entire process.
Examples of resource support can include:
- Family or personal hardships
- Food insecurity
- Medical leave of absences for learners
- Financial hardships that limit access to basic needs
- Emergency housing concerns that require additional resources or support
Reach out to us
Learners are welcome to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment.
Looking for additional resources?
Find crisis resources on our intranet site.
Resource questions?
Email MCCMSCRM@mayo.edu