CARES
C.A.R.E.S.
Coordination, Advocacy, Resourcing, Empowerment, & Support
College can be a critical time for students’ identity, values, and interpersonal relationship development. Hand-in-hand with growth and life transitions, come times of stress.
CARES serves the SMC Community by providing non-clinical, individualized support to students experiencing personal circumstances impacting their well-being.
Examples of some challenges that students may be facing and reach out for support around include college transition concerns, building community, navigating personal and interpersonal changes, academic-work life balance, family illness/issues, medical / health-related concerns, disastrous or traumatic events, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and much more!
CARES team members hold collaborative meetings with students regarding a particular circumstance they are facing to identify their core needs, goals, and pathways forward.
In strategizing together, students are empowered to take the lead in the collaboration by identifying pathways towards their goals.
Pathways forward may involve socioemotional tools and resources; on or off-campus resources; or simply holding a supportive, non-judgmental space for students to work through their challenges.
How to Get Connected
Do you have a general concern for yourself or another student you would like to collaborate with a CARES team member regarding? Fill out a CARES Referral form to get connected!
Questions? Please contact us via email at commlife@stmarys-ca.edu or call 925-631-4238.
- What is a CARES referral form for?
This form is for writing a referral for an individual student for whom there is some kind of concern.
This concern may be general or specific and can include exhibiting academic, emotional, or physical behaviors. Possible examples include consistent, unexplained absenteeism, aggressive verbal or physical behavior; self-reports of deteriorating mental health; self-harm; and suicidal thoughts, threats, or attempts.
Other forms and resources can be found at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/offices-services/community-life
- What does it mean to be a private resource?
CARES is a non-confidential but private resource. The information provided in this form and potential subsequent communications and/or meetings will be kept private and only discussed with relevant SMC staff when appropriate for coordination. However, we are required to report incidents of abuse, assault, neglect, harassment, and threats to imminent safety.
For confidential campus resources, you can contact the Office of Community life for more information at commlife@stmarys-ca.edu
Are you facing housing, food, financial, or academic accessibility insecurities or struggles? Check out the Essential Needs Program website for resources and how to get in touch!