20 Minutes to…Trained: Feeling Threatened vs. Being Threatened (2026)

This 20-Minutes to… Trained session explores the important distinction between feeling threatened and being threatened and how that distinction can guide an appropriate institutional response. NABITA experts examine distressed, disruptive, and dangerous behaviors and emphasize the importance of considering both the individual and the surrounding context when evaluating threat and risk. The session provides practical guidance for distinguishing subjective perceptions of danger from objective indicators of possible harm so professionals can respond without overreacting or underreacting, including considering potential bias, opportunities for de-escalation, and when safety or emergency protocols should be activated. This session is an excellent opportunity for BIT members, campus leaders, student affairs professionals, and other institutional partners seeking to strengthen their ability to assess concerning behavior, support individuals who feel unsafe, and respond proportionately when an actual threat is present.