Sometimes students are thwarted in their academic agenda by family or personal problems, academic difficulties or career concerns.  It is the role of University Counseling Services to assist these students in order that they may function as fully as possible and successfully complete their academic pursuits.

 Why might a student seek counseling services?

College life can be stressful, and at times, talking to a professional counselor may be helpful.  Counseling services are available to help “talk through” a relatively straightforward problem or difficulty.

Students commonly seek counseling for feelings of depression, anxiety, fear, or confusion.  Poor study habits or difficulties with concentration may also be of concern.  Family problems, developing and understanding relationships, sexuality and sexual orientation, self-esteem, eating and weight problems, and recovering from trauma or abuse are other common presenting issues for college students.

What is the role of faculty, staff and administrators in the referral process?

Faculty, staff and administrators can play a vital role in helping troubled students find appropriate assistance with their concerns.  This brochure outlines some typical college student problems and suggests tips on how to make a successful referral.

What should I look for in a troubled student?

 Every college student feels stressed, depressed, or anxious at times.  When these feelings persist over a long period, however, there may be a problem greater than those problems faced by the general student population.  There are three levels of behavior that indicate distress.

Level 1

Although not disruptive to others, these behaviors may indicate that help is needed:

· serious grade problems

· excessive absences

· unusual pattern of interaction, i.e., totally avoiding participation, excessively anxious when called upon, dominating discussion

· excessive activity and very rapid speech, swollen eyes, change in personal dress and hygiene, anxious behavior, and falling asleep in class

Level 2

These behaviors may indicate significant emotional distress and also a reluctance or inability to acknowledge a need for personal help:

· repeated requests for special consideration

· new or consistent behavior that pushes the limits of decorum

· unusual or exaggerated emotional response

Level 3

These behaviors usually show students in obvious crisis who need emergency care:

· highly disruptive behavior

· garbled, slurred speech and/or unconnected or disjointed thoughts

· seeing/hearing things that aren’t present

· beliefs or actions greatly at odds with reality

· overt suicidal thoughts

· homicidal threats
 

Making the Referral 

As faculty and staff you may have students reveal emotional upset associated with very diverse concerns from relationship problems, to anxiety disorders, to suicidal thinking.  At that time you are in the position to become a referral person.   The following information may be useful as you refer a student to counseling.

 Is this a life threatening situation? 

Was there a verbal or written threat or an attempt to hurt her/himself or someone else?

YES

Contact UCS immediately at 610-683-4072 or Public Safety at 683-4001.  Remain with the student or delegate a responsible staff person to remain with the student while you make your crisis calls.

NO

Proceed with the counseling referral.

·         Meet in a confidential location.

·         Be calm.  Maintain appropriate eye contact and focus on what is said without making judgments.

·         Acknowledge the importance of the student’s concerns.  Emphasize that seeking help is not a weakness.

·         Tell the student of the free, confidential counseling service on campus.  Emphasize that counseling information is not a part of the university’s record.

·         Tell the student that typically three or four sessions are needed to be helpful.

·         Ask the student if you can call the center for an appointment.  If the student says yes, call and explain the situation to the receptionist in the student’s presence.  The receptionist will tell you what to do next.

·         If the student doesn’t want you to make the call or referral, respect that decision but let the student know that he or she can speak with you again if they change their mind and want a counseling appointment.