UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa — Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) reminds faculty, staff and campus leaders about the importance of the Red Folder, which is designed to help identify and assist students experiencing various levels of distress. Faculty and staff are encouraged to take the Red Folder course, available on Penn State’s Learning Resource Network (LRN), to enhance their awareness and response capabilities.
The Red Folder is part of a comprehensive toolkit that includes a physical folder, the Red Folder website and the LRN course. This initiative equips those interacting with students to recognize, respond to, and refer Penn State students in distress. The Red Folder does not ask Penn State staff or faculty to take on the mental health professional role but gives them resources and best practices to feel informed and empowered if the occasion arises.
“The Red Folder is aimed at helping you feel empowered to harness your human compassion, listen intentionally, and truly understand what someone may need,” said Stephanie Stama, CAPS assistant director of community education and outreach. “Sometimes all a person needs is to simply feel heard. Consider every small moment that you interact with someone as an opportunity for suicide prevention.”
The type and amount of distress students are experiencing will require different actions and resources. Students may experience various levels of distress: high (red), moderate (yellow), and low (green). Both the physical folder and website offer guidance on how to approach each situation, providing suggested actions and key statements to help supporters feel more confident. Indicators of student distress, whether academic, psychological or physical are outlined, along with safety risk factors. Campus and local resources are included in both printed and online versions; however, the website will have the most up-to-date resources and information.
The Red Folder course was created to help others understand how to use the physical folder and website. This 30-minute interactive course is easily accessible and can be referred to as needed after completion. The course is available 24/7 and is encouraged for onboarding and training throughout the year. In addition to elaborating on the standard Red Folder framework (Recognize, Respond, Refer), the LRN course incorporates cultural considerations and self-care strategies for helpers to use before, during, and after providing support to others. Annual updates can be expected, so it is recommended to reorient the course at least once a year.
To access the course, sign into Penn State’s Learning Resource Network and search the term “The Red Folder.” It can also be accessed by first logging into the LRN and then following the Red Folder LRN course link. More information about training and the toolkit can be found on the Red Folder Training website.
For more information on the Red Folder, visit the Student Affairs or Red Folder websites.