CARE Team
The Coordinate, Assess, Respond, Educate (CARE) Team is a confidential, centralized resource for members of the campus community to report at risk or worrisome behaviors about individuals who are at risk of harm to self or others.
The CARE Team can assess risk, help connect individuals to support and resources before situations escalate, and offer guidance on potential next steps. The CARE Team triages referrals and responds during regular business hours Monday to Friday.
How Do I Know I Need to Make a Referral?
According to the Centre for Trauma-Informed Practices (CTIP) Violence Threat Risk Assessment Model (2023), worrisome behaviour is defined as:
"Behavior that causes concern within the school or community and may indicate that an individual is moving toward a risk of serious violent behavior."
The University of Alberta (2026) defines worrisome behaviour as:
"A person's words or conduct that, while not indicative of a clear, immediate threat, still gives rise to a reasonable apprehension that they may be at risk of harming themselves or others."
Examples may include:
- Evidence of depression, hopelessness and/or suicidal thoughts/statements
- Observable changes in behavior and/or appearance
- Noticeable differences in pattern of behaviors
- Direct or implied threatening statements
- Written content including social media posts that allude to violence to self or others
- A significant drop in academic performance or repeated absences
- Angry or hostile remarks or outbursts
How to Make a Referral:
When making a referral to the CARE Team, information should include:
- The student’s first and last name
- The student ID number, phone number and MHC email
- The behaviors of concern evidenced by exact wording or specific actions that have been observed. Give only the information required as it applies to worrisome behaviors. Include if behaviors or situations are ongoing.
Referrals can be made to the CARE Team: MHCStudentSupport@mhc.ab.ca