When to make a Referral

Recognizing a Student in Distress

Everyone experiences stress but when reactions are prolonged or severe, students may have trouble coping. Here are some signs of students in distress. The number and intensity of these signs can indicate the level of distress:

• Serious change in the quality of the student's work
• Excessive absences from class
• Exaggerated and inappropriate emotional responses
• Unusual or changed patterns of interaction in class
• Disruptive in-class behavior (irritability, restlessness,agitation)
• Depressed behavior such as lack of energy or deterioration in personal appearance

Indicators that reflect a more serious problem and require
an immediate response:

• Inability to communicate clearly due to garbled speech or disconnected thoughts
• Loss of touch with reality (e.g., individuals report hearing or seeing things that do not exist or express beliefs that conflict with reality)
• Talking about committing suicide (e.g., "I can'tgo on... there's no reason to continue")
• Threatening to seriously harm or even kill someone

Responding to a Student in Distress

In non-emergency situations, you might decide not to intervene if the problems seem minor or temporary. When choosing to speak to a student, the following guidelines may help:

• Speak to the student privately whenever possible.
• Focus on behaviors that you notice are different. Instead of saying, "You seem depressed," say, "I have noticed that your assignments aren't up to par lately" or "I've noticed you've been absent from class lately and I'm concerned". Avoid accusations.
• Indicate your willingness to help, but recognize your limits. It is not your job to become the student's therapist.
• When in doubt about a situation call Student Counseling Services (SCS), consult with a staff member and your academic head.
  
  
  Referring a Student in distress to Resources
  
  Sometimes a student will have problems that you are not comfortable addressing. In these situations, the best and most appropriate option is to refer the student to others who can provide assistance. When you believe a referral to the SCS is the best option, consider these guidelines:
  • Be direct! Say something like, "What you're telling me sounds in-depth. I think it would be really useful to talk to a professional counselor."
  • Assure the student that the objective yet concerned stance taken by a counselor may be exactly what is needed to help resolve the problem.
  • Students may be hesitant to contact a mental health professional. Try to normalize the process. Reassure the student that you don't think he or she is seriously disturbed. Avoid labeling or sounding judgmental e.g. "You should be in therapy".
  • It can be helpful to accompany the student if he/she consents to the Counsellor's office or to help them make telephone contact with the Counsellor.
  • In addition to the SCS, other resources could be useful, including contact with family members, friends, clergy and other campus or community agencies. Consult with an SCS staff member to identify referral resources. The SCS can assist you or the student with appropriate referrals.
  • If a student seems reluctant to utilize the SCS or other services, suggest that he or she call a 24-hour telephone help line that is often seen as less threatening.

  
  Remember

  • Assess the seriousness of the situation.
  • Consult and clarify your own feelings regarding the student and how you can be most effective
  • Learn about resources, both on and off campus, so that you can provide the student with potential options for resources.
  • Decide how to best initiate the referral process.
  • Always Document and Follow up.

   

  IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, it is important to be sure that the student is safe and will receive help. If you consider the situation to be a dangerous one where the student or other person(s) are at risk, it may be best to contact relevant emergency services - 999 or 555 (Police), 990 (Fire) or 811 (ambulance). Do not delay in getting help to ensure the student's or thers' safety. You may also call any available counsellor for consultation on how to best handle the situation.