Tips for faculty & staff: Helping students in distress
This information is provided to assist you in becoming aware of signs of a distressed student, things that you might do to help the student, indicators of possible suicidal ideation, and when and how to make effective referrals for additional help.
Tips for Recognizing Troubled Students
At one time or another, everyone feels depressed or upset. However, there are three levels of student distress which, when present over a period of time, suggest that the problems are more than the "normal" ones.
Level 1
Although not disruptive to others in your class or elsewhere, these behaviors may indicate that something is wrong and that help may be needed:
- Serious grade problems
- Unaccountable change from good to poor performance
- Change from frequent attendance to excessive absences
- Change in pattern of interaction
- Marked change in mood, motor activity, or speech
- Marked deterioration in physical appearance
Level 2
These behaviors may indicate significant emotional distress or either reluctance or inability to acknowledge a need for personal help:
- Repeated request for special consideration
- New or regularly occurring behavior which pushes the limits and/or may be disruptive to the class
- Unusual or exaggerated emotional response
Level 3
These behaviors may usually show that the student is in crisis and needs emergency care:
- Highly disruptive behavior (hostility, aggression, etc.)
- Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, slurred speech, disjointed thoughts)
- Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things that are not there, beliefs or actions at odds with reality)
- Overt expressions of current suicidal thoughts or plans
- Homicidal threats
What You Can Do To Help
Responses to Level 1 or Level 2 Behavior
- Talk to the student in private when you both have time.
- Express your concern in non-judgmental terms.
- Listen to the student and repeat the gist of what the student is saying.
- Respect the student's value system.
- Ask if the student is considering suicide.
- Make appropriate referrals if necessary.
- Try to make sure the student understands what action is necessary.
Responses to Level 3 Behavior
- Stay calm.
- Make emergency referral as listed below.
When to Make a Referral
Even though a student asks you for help with a problem and you are willing to help, there are circumstances when you should suggest additional resources:
- You are not comfortable in handling the situation.
- Personality differences might interfere with your ability to help.
- You know the student personally (friend, neighbor, friend of a friend) and think you may not be objective enough to help.
- The student is reluctant to discuss the situation with you.
- You feel little progress in dealing with the student about these issues over time.
- You feel overwhelmed or are pressed for time.
How to Make a Referral
To the student:
- Be frank with the student about the limits of your time, ability, expertise, and/or objectivity.
- Let the student know that you care and think s/he should get assistance from another source.
- Assure her/him that many students seek help during college.
- Try to help the student understand what to expect if s/he follows through on the referral.
Consider these questions before making the referral:
- What are the appropriate and available resources for the student?
- With whom is the student likely to feel most comfortable?
- Who will make the initial contact, you or the student?
Consultation is Available
If you have concerns about a student, counselors at Counseling Services are available for consultation. Some of the ways we might help include:
- Assessing the seriousness of the situation
- Suggesting potential resources
- Determining the best way to make a referral
- Helping you clarify your own feelings about the student and the situation
Counseling Services
Any currently enrolled student may use the services. Students are encouraged to make their own appointments if possible. There may be a wait of a few days before seeing a counselor for a scheduled appointment. In urgent situations we will assist any student immediately. Be sure to tell the person scheduling the appointment that the situation is urgent. At the student's first visit s/he will fill out information and consent forms prior to meeting with the counselor. During the first appointment, the counselor will begin to assess the student's needs and determine the most effective way of helping.
In an Emergency
Try to stay calm. Find someone to stay with the student while calls are made.
For students expressing a direct threat to themselves or others, or who act in a disruptive, bizarre, or a highly irrational way, call:
- 9-911 on campus if you feel anyone poses an imminent threat to self or others
- Counseling Services (8am-Noon; 1pm-4:30pm, Monday-Friday) x6574 - For immediate consultation
For students who exhibit severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or any other intense emotional disturbance, but for whom no immediate harm appears likely, please call:
- Counseling Services (8am-Noon; 1pm-4:30pm, Monday-Friday) x6574 - For consultation and referral
Do's and Don'ts in Responding to Suicidality
- DO show that you take the student's feelings seriously.
- DO let the student know that you want to help.
- DO listen attentively and empathize.
- DO reassure that with help (s)he will recover.
- DO stay close until help is available or risk has passed.
- DON'T try to shock or challenge the student.
- DON'T analyze the student's motives.
- DON'T become argumentative.
- DON'T react with shock or disdain at the student's thoughts and feelings.
- DON'T minimize the student's distress.
Adapted from Central Michigan University’s web page. Retrieved from http://www.counsel.cmich.edu/helpingothers/distressed_students_tips.asp
