WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE FACULTY/STAFF IN ASSISTING STUDENTS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS?

Students often experience significant changes in their lives during the course of their education. Such changes, at times, become stressful enough to pose serious threats to the student's academic progress. The stress of academic, social, family, work, and/or financial concerns are often inter-related and may result in a student turning to you for help. In fact, anyone who is perceived as knowledgeable, caring, and trustworthy may by a potential resource in times of trouble. A faculty member's willingness to lend special assistance to students undoubtedly is influenced by the personal style and philosophy of the individual. Situational factors, such as class size, also have a substantial effect on the type of interactions which occur between the faculty and students. Nonetheless, there is ample evidence that faculty members are often in a position to identify students who are troubled. Timely expressions of interest and concern may be a critical factor in helping students solve problems that are interfering with academic survival and success.





IS CONSULTATION AVAILABLE?
The Counseling Center provides consultation services for students, staff, professionals, and faculty. These consultations might focus on concerns about a specific student; behavioral problems which occur in the classroom, or other issues that may have important psychological dimensions. The staff will attempt to respond to requests for consultation as soon as daily schedules permit. Please tell the receptionist if you think the situation is an emergency requiring immediate attention.





WHEN MIGHT PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING BE BENEFICIAL?
The reasons that individuals seek help from psychologists are as varied as people themselves. An individual's motives for seeking counseling might range from wishing to solve a particular problem to desiring to enhance his/her own personal development. In any case, the following indicators might be useful in making a decision about referring a student to The Counseling Center. To prevent possible over-interpretation of a single or an isolated behavior, it is probably advisable to look for clusters of signs which appear at approximately the same time.

1. Stated Need for Help
The desire for assistance in dealing with a problem may be stated directly or indirectly. For this reason, it is important not only to attend to the content of what a student may say but to understand the intentions and feelings underlying his or her message. Listening involves hearing the way things are being said, noticing the tone used, and observing the expressions and gestures employed. In fact, having someone listen attentively to an expression of a problematic feeling or thought is often a cathartic experience for the speaker which, in and of itself, can result in that individual feeling somewhat better.


2. References to Suicide or Homicide
It is often necessary to distinguish between a theoretical or hypothetical discussion of suicide or homicide and a statement which reflects true personal anguish. However, if an individual talks about or alludes to details of how, when, or where he or she may be contemplating suicide or homicide, then immediate referral is necessary. Regardless of the circumstances or context, any reference to committing suicide or homicide should be considered serious. To conclude that a student's suicidal or homicidal talk is simply a bid for attention is extremely risky, and a judgment about the seriousness and possible lethality of the suicidal or homicidal thought or gesture should not be made without consultation with a professional mental health worker. In the case of an actual suicide attempt or homicidal threat, immediately call Campus Safety and Security (775-8444), 911, or take the student immediately to the Emergency Room of Allen Memorial Hospital.


3. Changes in Mood or Behavior
Actions which are inconsistent with an individual's normal behavior may indicate that he or she is experiencing psychological distress. An individual who withdraws from usual social interaction, demonstrates an unwillingness to communicate, commits asocial acts, has spells of unexplained crying or outbursts of anger, or demonstrates unusual irritability may be suffering from symptoms associated with a psychological problem.


4. Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are two of the more common psychological disturbances which can present significant problems for students. Both of these rather common emotional states can impair an individual's normal functioning when these states become prolonged or severe. When an individual's ability to function in a normal manner becomes impaired because of anxiety or depression, some kind of assistance should be recommended.


5. Psychosomatic Symptoms
Individuals who experience tension-induced headaches, nausea, or other physical pains which have no apparent organic cause may be experiencing psychosomatic symptoms. Such psychosomatic symptoms are real for that individual, and so is the pain. Other physical symptoms of possible problems may include a loss of appetite or excessive eating, insomnia, or excessive sleeping, or gastrointestinal distress.


6. Traumatic Changes in Personal Relationships
Personal problems often result when an individual experiences traumatic change in personal relationships. The death of a family member or close friend, difficulties in marriage or family relationships, divorce, changes in family responsibilities, and difficulties in other significant relationships can all result in increased stress and psychological difficulties.


7. Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Indications of excessive drinking, drug abuse, or drug dependence are frequently indicative of psychological problems. In the case of a drug overdose or severe drug reaction, call Security (775-8444) or take the student to the Allen Memorial Hospital Emergency Room.


8. Career Choice Problems
It is rather common for college students to go through periods of career indecision and uncertainty. Such experiences are often characterized by dissatisfaction with an academic major, unrealistic career aspirations, and/or confusion with regard to interests, abilities, or values. A referral to the office of Career Services (775-8140) may be appropriate when it appears the student needs career information, skill development or resources in career decisions. When the problem seems more related to self doubt, identity or perception of self and/or others, a referral to The Counseling Center may be helpful.


9. Learning Problems
Many students find the demands of college-level academic work to be greater than they anticipated. While it is expected that all students will go through some adjustment period in this regard, those who demonstrate a consistent discrepancy between their performance and their potential may be in need of assistance. The office of Student Academic Support Services (775-8464) is an excellent resource when the student appears to need information, academic skill development or resources related to learning and academic difficulties. When the problems with academics appear to relate to more personal issues e.g., perfectionistic orientation, attitudes and perceptions of self doubt, procrastination, depression or incapacitating test anxiety, the student may benefit from counseling services.


10. Retention Issues
Research has shown that counseling services are effective in combating student attrition. Students who are considering dropping out of school, contemplating a transfer to another institution of higher education, or worrying about possible academic failure may find counseling to be a useful resource during their decision-making. Last year 71% of student clients stated that their psychological problems interfered with their ability as a student, and 58% of our clients stated that counseling helped them stay in school.





WHEN TO REFER?
Aside from the signs or symptoms that may suggest the need for counseling, there are other guidelines which may help the faculty member define the limits of his or her involvement with a particular student's problem. A referral is usually indicated in the following situations:

1. A student presents a problem or requests information which is outside your range of knowledge.

2. You feel that personality differences that cannot be resolved between you and the student will interfere with your helping the student.

3. The problem is personal, and you know the student on other than a professional basis (friend, neighbor, relative, etc.)

4. A student is reluctant to discuss a problem with you for some reason.

5. You do not believe your counseling with the student has been effective.





HOW TO REFER?
When you have determined that a student might benefit from professional counseling or psychotherapy, it is usually best to speak directly to the student in a straight-forward fashion that will show your concern for his or her welfare. It is not advisable to attempt to deceive or trick the student into seeking counseling. Make it clear that this recommendation represents your best judgment based on your observations of the student's behavior. Be specific regarding the behaviors that have raised your concerns, and avoid making generalizations about the individual.

Except in emergencies, the option must be left open for the student to accept or refuse counseling. If the student is skeptical or reluctant for whatever reason, simply express your acceptance of those feelings so that your own relationship with the student is not jeopardized. Give the student an opportunity to consider other alternatives by suggesting that he or she might need some time to think it over. If the student emphatically says "no", then respect that decision, and again leave the situation open for possible reconsideration at a later time.

If the student agrees to the referral, you or the student may call The Counseling Center to make an appointment. The student's first contact with the Center will typically be an intake interview in which the student and the psychologist make decisions about the type of help needed. Intake appointments are usually scheduled within a few days of the student's request to see a psychologist and selected time is set aside each day for walk-ins who do not have appointments. These hours are 11:00 a.m. Monday and Tuesday and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Finally, you should follow up with the student at a later date to show your continued interest even if he or she did not accept your attempted referral.

In cases where the student refuses an attempted referral, and you continue to be concerned about their welfare, feel free to call The Counseling Center for a consultation.

In emergency situations involving students who are unwilling or unable to seek help on their own, faculty members may call Security (775-8444).





WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY?
It is important for members of the college community to understand that the interviews conducted by psychologists are confidential in nature. Information about those interviews, or the content of such interviews, cannot be released except: