Referral Information for Faculty & Staff
The following information is used with permission from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Counseling Center:
Faculty and Staff, because of their proximity and sensitivity to their undergraduate and graduate students, often become aware of a variety of problems which students experience and which can seriously interfere with their concentration, self-confidence, sense of safety and well-being, and productivity in the classroom. Faculty or Staff persons may very well then question whether or not they have the time, energy, or expertise to take responsibility for helping students find solutions to individual personal problems, even though they are keenly empathetic with students' needs.
What are the signs that a student may need counseling assistance?
While all human beings have "bad days," and talk or act in atypical or unusual ways occasionally, the following are some warning signs that students may be confronting difficult problems:
- People who hang around your office more frequently than you feel is necessary to answer their questions or appear to be looking for an opening to talk more personally.
- Students who do not appear to be coping very well with serious loss, including death or debilitating illness in the family; loss of a friend or a serious relationship; chronic difficulty or failure or a sudden drop in what has been satisfactory performance; their own serious illness or injury (automobile accidents are common); parental/family conflicts, including separation and divorce.
- Awareness and concern on your part or the student's that perhaps s/he has not made a well-considered, thoughtful, appropriate choice of major and/or career field.
- Undergraduate and graduate students who appear to be depressed, isolated or alienated from peers, display evidence of anxiety and/or miss a lot of class time.
- References in papers or other classroom work to suicidal thoughts, doing harm to others, depression, sexual abuse or assault, eating disorders and other serious issues.
- Repeated evidence that students are experiencing test anxiety which is seriously debilitating their academic achievement in your course, or are experiencing debilitating communication or mathematics anxiety.
- Sudden, perhaps frequent, emotional outbursts of crying or anger and hostility directed at you or other class members.
- Evidence of a pattern of alcohol or other drug use which results in repeated absences, poor quality work, problematic relationships, and financial, medical or legal consequences.
- Evidence of sudden disruption of regular habits, such as sleeping too much or too little; substantial increases or decreases in food intake; and physical complaints such as severe headaches, stomach trouble and/or chronic fatigue.
- Speech, written work, or personal notes written to you where thought patterns are disconnected, rambling, confused or nonsensical.
- Changes in dress, appearance, or grooming which convey a sense of neglect, hopelessness or loss of self-esteem.
What if I pick up some of these "trouble signs" in students, or find their behavior perplexing and troublesome, yet don't know how to be most helpful to them?
- You can offer to talk privately with the person, expressing your concern about what you are observing, and asking what the behavior means.
- You can listen actively and supportively, taking the person's concern seriously whatever it is.
- You can call or come to Counseling and Psychological Services and ask to consult with one of our Psychologists about the situation and your choice of responses to it. If you have any question about the appropriateness of, or the need for, a referral for counseling, we invite you to call us at 308-3171.
- You can refer the person directly to Counseling and Psychological Services.
How do I go about referring a undergraduate and graduate student directly to the Counseling Center?
- The best referrals are made out of a sincere concern for the student's well-being, safety, and effective functioning: "It appears to me that something is really troubling you. Would you like me to help you find a knowledgeable, experienced person who may be able to help you resolve the problem?" Your willingness to listen and care about students' concerns is often the first step to resolution of those concerns.
- When you offer to help a student find competent, experienced professional assistance, you also are clarifying your own boundaries in terms of time, energy, expertise, and how involved you are willing to get, given all of your other responsibilities.
- Many students have no idea what to expect when they make an initial contact with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and many have preconceived ideas about "counseling" based upon stereotypes or a previous negative experience. Hence, share as much information and reassurance as you can. It is especially helpful if you have been in the CAPS yourself, met staff members, and can personalize the referral with a couple of names.
- Offer to help the student make a call to schedule an appointment, perhaps even on your office phone so that you can offer support. Some faculty and staff have brought students directly to the Center if the student needs that level of support.
- Let the student know that counseling is voluntary, involves no additional expense for them, and that they can terminate the process whenever they want to do so. They may request an appointment with either a woman or a man.
- Indicate that counseling is confidential, that no information regarding what is discussed is shared with anyone, even including the fact that the student came to CAPS, unless the student authorizes it in writing. However, if counselors are aware that a student has been referred by faculty or staff , they will typically ask the specific permission of the student to call the referring person to let him/her know that the counseling contact was made.
- Because CAPS is a busy place when classes are in session, students are scheduled to see a counselor as soon as possible, usually within a week. However, special provisions are made to handle emergencies and urgent problems, usually involving the personal safety of the student or of other people. If you believe your referral is urgent, please make that clear when you or the student calls. Emergencies are an immediate priority.
How do I handle emergency situations or personal crises which require immediate attention, (1) in my classroom, (2) in my office, (3) elsewhere on campus?
The options are, depending on the nature, location and timing of the emergency:
- Call Public Safety who will assess the situation and, if necessary, have the person transported to St. Cloud Hosptial for care and treatment 308-3453
- Call 911 to summon St. Cloud Police who will assess the situation and, if necessary, arrange for transportation of the person to St. Cloud Hosptial.
- Call Counseling and Psychological Services (Monday--Friday, 8:00 AM--4:30 PM) 308-3171
- Call the Student Life and Development Office (Monday--Friday, 8:00 AM--4:30 PM) 308-3111
- Call Health Services (Monday--Friday, 8:00 AM --4:30 PM) 308-3191
- After hours, Central MN Mental Health Center has a crisis line on a 24-hour basis: 253-5555
