Intervention team established

By Julie Hirshan | jhirshan@flagler.edu

With concerns growing nationwide about mental health issues and incidents related to alcohol abuse, Flagler College created a Behavioral Intervention Team. According to the BIT website, www.flagler.edu/BIT, the purpose is to ensure safety of students, faculty and staff, and prevent disruptions to the college’s mission.

Mary Tinlin, dean of the counseling center, started the program, modeled after the BIT at the University of South Carolina. The team uses reports submitted by college community members to assess erratic or dangerous behavior by students who may be in need of campus services or referrals to outside resources.

The core team is kept small so they can be assembled quickly if needed. Additional members are called in as necessary for expertise in special circumstances.

Referrals may be submitted online at www.flagler.edu/BIT by following the incident report link, or by calling 819-6308, the dedicated BIT phone line.