|
|
|
Faculty and Staff
Sometimes faculty, staff, parents and friends of students are among the first to notice that things are not “right”. Stress in a student’s life can disrupt academic progress, personal relationships and daily behavior.
Here are some guidelines to follow if you are concerned about a student:
Signs and symptoms of stress in students
Your Observations
* Social isolation, withdrawal, lethargy.
* Inability to focus on a specific topic in a conversation or activity.
* Disorganized thinking and speech, feelings that are inappropriate to the situation, lack of affect, or other evidence that students is “out of touch with reality.”
* Expression of feelings of persecution, strong mistrust of others.
* Violent outbursts
* Signs of excessive alcohol or drug use.
* Expressions of general unhappiness over a period of several weeks.
* Frequent class absence or “disappearance”
* Over extended periods.
* Gain or loss of significant amounts of weight.
* Abrupt change in manner, style, or personal hygiene.
Student’s Complaints
* Marked anxiety, extreme restlessness, inability to concentrate or relax.
* Marked decrease or increase in appetite.
* Marked decrease or increase in sleep.
* Loss of interest in formerly pleasurable or meaningful activities, such as class, social life, intimate relationships.
* Expression of irrational fears.
* Physical complaints without medical cause.
* Chronic fatigue.
* Suicidal thoughts, plans, threats.
* Overwhelming financial obligations.
Student’s Background
* History of emotional disturbances (e.g., depression, alcohol, drug abuse, eating disorders)
* Traumatic family event(s) such as recent separation or divorce of parents, serious illness or death of family member etc.
* Recent loss of an important person (either by death or by separation/break-up).
* Recent loss of esteem
Guidelines for Responding
* Share your interest and concern openly, directly and with care.
* Set clear limits.
* Maintain student’s privacy.
* Do not promise confidentiality. Rather inform the student that you will use discretion if seeking outside assistance. You may want to look at our confidentiality statement (www.counseling.org), which all students are notified about when they first meet a counselor.
* Demonstrate an understanding of what the student discloses.
* Clarify vague, confusing or disturbing student disclosures. Ask, “What do you mean by…?
* Inquire how the student is attempting to respond to the problem. Develop response options together.
* Consult with the Counselor Department staff if you feel you need additional perspectives before approaching the student.
* Suggest a referral to the Counseling Department or other college resource.
* Follow-up. Offer and be open to further contact.
Consider a referral when
* The problem or requests made are beyond your level of competence.
* The boundaries of your role make it unwise to work with students on personal issues.
* A student expresses a preference (directly or indirectly) to speak with
someone else about their concerns.
* After some time and effort, you feel like you are not making progress in helping the student.
Referral Guidelines
* It is generally more helpful to refer to a particular office than to a specific person. You might recommend a person whom you feel comfortable, but that person may not be the most available at the time they are needed.
* Consider helping the student make an appointment, by walking with the student to the office where the referral is being made or letting the student call from your office.
* Once a referral is made, communication between the student and the
counselor is often confidential. You may feel compelled to continue communicating with the student but know that you should leave that up to the student. Communicate your continued concern and availability.
Making a Referral to the Counseling Department
* Office hours are Monday and Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
* The Counseling Department operates on a walk-in and appointment basis. Students wanting to see a counselor can stop by Room 3140. A counselor may be available to see the student on the same day, if not an appointment will be made.
* Emergencies are always accommodated as soon as possible, and same –day appointments are possible.
* Counselors are available to consult with you about concerns you have in dealing with a particular student or your approaches to students generally. Please feel free to call the Counseling Department Information Office at ext. 8111 or stop by Room 3140N. |
