Aaniiih Nakoda College

Referring to Morningstar Counseling Services

  1. Level 1: Suggest that the student call 402-327-9711 or email the Morningstar Intake Coordinators at contact@morningstar-counseling.com for an appointment. 
  2. Level 2: Suggest that the student use your telephone to arrange an appointment by calling 402-327-9711 while the student is still in your office. When the call is made from your office, you know that at least an appointment has been made. By making the student call her/him/themselves, the student is more likely to follow through to get help. Your willingness to let him/her/them handle this part of the process affirms their positive coping capacities. A faculty or staff member may assist the student in calling and setting up services with Morningstar Counseling, however, an appointment cannot be made without the student present and/or without the student’s consent.
  3. Level 3: For students who exhibit violent, hostile, or aggressive behavior faculty/staff should call their local law enforcement to ensure the safety of the individual and campus. For students who demonstrate active suicidal ideation and/or behaviors faculty/staff should call their local law enforcement who should escort the student to the nearest emergency room for evaluation. For students who exhibit homicidal ideation, faculty/staff should contact their local law enforcement who should escort the student to the hospital for further evaluation or decide the next steps to ensure safety of the individual and campus. *For students who are experiencing a loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things, garbled or slurred speech) they should be escorted to the nearest hospital for evaluation. If the student does not have a trusted friend or family member who can take them, it may be necessary to call local law enforcement for an escort to the hospital. 

**In an emergency, call the Fort Belknap Police Department at 406-353-2933 or 911.

When in Doubt, Consult

If you have specific questions about a student or are unsure about whether or how to approach an individual to make a referral, call Morningstar Counseling at 402-327-9711. Indicate that you are concerned about a student and ask to speak to an intake coordinator.

The staff member will help you:

  • Assess the seriousness of the situation
  • Learn about resources, both on and off campus, so that you can provide the student with potential options for obtaining assistance
  • Decide how best to initiate the referral process
  • Clarify your own feelings about the student and consider how you can be most effective

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