Oklahoma State University

SCC Main Menu

UCS Calendar

«
<
May 2012
>
»
S M T W T F S
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31 1 2

Students in Distress:

A Helper's Guide

University Counseling Services

Division of Student Affairs

002 University Health Services

405-744-5458

ucs.okstate.edu

Introduction

As an Oklahoma State University faculty, staff, or teaching assistant, you will encounter a student in distress. Your role as a possible helper is not only valuable, it could be crucial. In most cases, you will be able to respond effectively to student needs; however, there might be occasions when you would want to refer a student to someone else for assistance.

This resource is offered to help you recognize signs of student distress and to suggest basic guidelines for effective interventions; however, each student presents a unique situation. If you are concerned about a student’s behavior and/or health, it is always wise to seek consultation with a professional.

The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center, Academic and Career Development Center, Student Conduct Education and Administration Office, Student Counseling Center, and Student Disability Services are examples of offices prepared to respond to your questions, should you need additional help assisting a student or making an appropriate referral.

Links for campus referral sources for frequently encountered student problems is at the bottom of this document. A website containing more faculty and advisor resources can be found at www.okstate.edu/ucs/resources.html

Signs and Symptoms of Student Distress
Guidelines for Interaction

Making a Referral to the Student Counseling Center
Thoughts About Follow-Up and Confidentiality Procedures
We Can
We Cannot
Reasons for Referral Failure
Following Up on an Unsuccessful Referral
Student Counseling Center
Referral Sources

Signs and Symptoms of Student Distress

  • Excessive procrastination or very poorly prepared work, especially if inconsistent with previous work
  • Dependency (e.g., a student who hangs around your office or makes excessive appointments)
  • Listlessness, lack of energy, or falling asleep in class
  • Poor attendance to class or at work
  • Marked changes in personal hygiene, appearance, or behavior
  • Isolation from others
  • Repeated requests for special consideration, such as deadline extensions or examination deferrals
  • Impaired speech or garbled, disjointed thoughts
  • Threat of harming self or others
  • Behavior that regularly interferes with the decorum or effective management of class
  • Overtly suicidal statements (i.e., referring to suicide as a current option)
  • High levels of irritability
  • Inability to make decisions, despite repeated attempts to clarify and encourage
  • Alcohol or other substance abuse
  • Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
  • Bizarre or strange behavior obviously inappropriate to the situation (e.g., talking to “invisible” people)
  • Emotions (e.g., fearfulness, tearfulness, or nervousness) displayed to an extreme degree or for prolonged periods

Guidelines for Interaction

  • Talk with the student privately
  • Listen carefully
  • Show concern and interest
  • For clarification, paraphrase or summarize the student’s statements
  • Avoid criticizing or judging
  • Consider the Student Counseling Center as a resource and discuss referral with the student
  • If the student resists help and you are worried, contact the Student Counseling Center to discuss your concerns with a counselor
  • Involve yourself only to the extent that you feel comfortable; extending yourself can be a gratifying experience when kept within your range of comfort

Making a Referral to the Student Counseling Center

  • Suggest that the student make an appointment for counseling. Provide the phone number and location of the Student Counseling Center to the student (001 Cordell North, 405-744-5472) or give information about the SCC website.
  • You can call the Student Counseling Center while the student is in your office and then hand the phone to the student to arrange the appointment date and time. Write down the Student Counseling Center location and phone number for the student.
  • In an emergency, follow the above procedure, but tell the receptionist that you have a student with you that needs an “emergency appointment.” Except on rare occasions, the student may be seen shortly after your call.
  • Sometimes it is useful or necessary to walk a student to the Student Counseling Center or another campus referral agency.
  • Follow-up with the student by inquiring as to whether s/he kept the appointment and how the session went in a general way.

Thoughts About Follow-Up and Confidentiality Procedures

Students can be assured that counseling sessions with Student Counseling Center staff are confidential. We understand that you might be interested in the progress of a student you referred; however, our ability to share information about a student is governed by confidentiality laws and ethics.

We Can

  • Answer questions about steps in referring students to the Student Counseling Center
  • Offer information about psychological concerns and problems in general

We Cannot

  • Discuss the content of sessions
  • Say whether a student is being seen or has kept an appointment
  • Discuss treatment plans or progress

In some cases, a student may find it in his/her best interest for information to be shared with a faculty, staff, family member, or significant other. This is done with the student’s written authorization that includes a clear explanation of the purpose and content of the disclosure. An exceptional circumstance in which confidentiality would not be recognized would be a counselor’s determination of imminent danger to the student or others.

Reasons for Referral Failure

Upon occasion, despite good intentions and accurate knowledge of resources, a referral for counseling is not successful. Before you judge yourself, the student, or the referral source too harshly, consider the following possibilities:

  • The student might not have been ready to receive the kind of help offered. Readiness is an essential component of receiving help.
  • There might have been a disparity between the student’s expectations and the actual nature and extent of help provided by the referral source.
  • The referral source might not have been appropriate for the type of help needed.
  • The referral source might not have been aware of the student’s actual needs due to misunderstanding, misinformation, or poor communication.

Following Up on an Unsuccessful Referral

  • If a referral proves unsuccessful, you can take several steps. Continue to be receptive to the student, try to determine the reason for the referral failure, and once again, explore options with the student.
  • If disparity or inappropriateness is the problem, try to clarify the student’s needs and expectations, and investigate more thoroughly the nature of the help offered by the referral source. Then try again!
  • If lack of awareness on the part of the referral source is the problem, with the student’s written permission, make direct contact with the referral source to correct or provide information about the student’s needs.
  • If incompatibility is the problem, encourage the student to try another person or agency. If you feel comfortable, provide a specific name of an individual for referral.
  • If lack of readiness is the problem, accept the student’s feelings, but communicate your limitations and encourage the student to consider other options for assistance. It is possible that later, or under different circumstances, the student will be more receptive.

Student Counseling Center

The Student Counseling Center is located in 001 Cordell North (405-744-5472). Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm. An on-duty counselor is available during these times and available for consultation with you. A counselor is also on call after hours and can be reached through the OSU Police Department (405-744-6523). The Student Counseling Center offers the following services:

  • Crisis intervention
  • Psychiatry
  • Short-term individual counseling
  • Couple counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Outreach programs (e.g., communication skills, stress management, time management, career development, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual abuse, self-esteem)
  • Consultation
  • Referral

Referral Sources

Academic & Administrative Resources

Career Assistance

Counseling Resources

Student Academic Services

Student Services

 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to noon & 1 to 5 p.m.

If you are a student in crisis, an on-call counselor is available. After 5 p.m. and on weekends, counseling staff may be reached through the OSU Police, 405-744-6523.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 December 2011 14:07