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How to Refer a Student to the Counseling Center

The Center receives many telephone calls from members of the University who are concerned about students in emotional distress. The communication link is vital because friends, staff and faculty may be in the best position to observe signs and symptoms that indicate a need to refer for professional assistance. Below are some of the general signs of serious distress:

• References to suicide.
• Noticeable isolation.
• Significant decrease in energy and motivational level.
• Marked change in behavior; e. g., (a) appearance change; (b) erratic class attendance or class performance; (c) sudden unwillingness to communicate; (d) drop in grades.
• Drug and Alcohol abuse.
• Eating disorder.
• Self -deprecation and excessive self-criticism.
• Statements reflecting a sense of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness.
• Psychosomatic symptoms, such as tension-induced headaches, nausea, change in appetite or in sleeping habits.
• Anxiety, depression, stress and "burnout".
• Mood or behavior changes following a traumatic change in a relationship, such as divorce or death.
• Academic problems, such as career indecision, dissatisfaction with academic major, inability to concentrate and difficulty with workload.
• Threatening bodily injury or harm to others.
• Violent behavior or extreme anger.
• Paranoid states.
• Marked disorientation or confusion.

How to Refer

When you wish to refer a student to the University Counseling Center it is usually best to be direct and straightforward about your concern for his or her welfare.

Speak specifically about the behaviors that have raised your concern and that you and the student both understand the same frame of reference about the situation. By speaking directly, you convey your respect and caring for the individual.

Some suggested ways to recommend counseling are:

"You seem very upset; perhaps it might be helpful to speak to someone. There are counselors available to students at the Counseling Center."

"Counseling is helpful for people who feel the way you do. If you would like, you may use my telephone right now to call the Counseling Center to find out how you make an appointment. If you would like, I'd be glad to walk over with you now to find out about speaking with a counselor."

"You don't have to continue feeling so depressed (anxious, isolated, stressed out, angry, etc). Counseling can help. Why don't you walk to (or call) the Counseling Center (located on the second floor of the Student Health Center) and make an appointment to speak with a counselor."

Feel free to use, amend, or expand on any of the recommendations above. Except in emergencies, the most important thing is to present your concern in such a way as to enable the student to freely accept, consider, or refuse your recommendation.

Some people need time in order to think over the decision to seek counseling. A caring and gentle suggestions usually enough. If a student says emphatically no, then it is important to respect and accept that decision and to perhaps leave the door open for alternative consideration.

IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, it is important to be sure that the student is safe and will receive help. In such instances, you can call the Counseling Center at 632-6720 directly for consultation on how to best handle the situation. The following contacts can facilitate your referral:

FRIENDS

Please call the 632-6720 and ask to speak to the counselor on-call or make an appointment to come in.

FACULTY, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND SERVICES

Please call 632-6720 and tell the receptionist this is urgent and you need to speak to the counselor on-call right away. You may also consult about non-urgent situations. You may request to have a liaison staff assigned to your department.

CAMPUS RESIDENCES

Some Quads request an assigned Counseling Center staff member who serves as a liaison. Ask the Quad Director or call the University Counseling Center at 632-6720 for the liaison person connected with your Quad. If your quad does not have an assigned liaison, or if your liaison is not available and this is an emergency, call the Counseling Center and ask to speak to the counselor on-call. Please indicate if the situation is urgent and if you need to speak to a counselor right away. You may also consult about non-urgent situations. In these situations, please tell the receptionist the nature of your request so she can triage it appropriately.

Counselors are available by phone (632-6720) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. (Inter-session, spring break and summer hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.)

After Hour Emergencies:

If an emergency arises after hours or on a weekend, the Comprehensive Psychiatry Emergency Program unit located at the UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL is available for emergency consultation as well as for on-site assessment. Call 444-6050 and ask to speak with a social worker or psychiatric resident who will listen to your description of the situation and advise you. Sometimes they suggest that the student come to the Psychiatry Emergency room for further assessment. If a situation indicates significant risk, they can arrange to have Public Safety transport a student who is on campus or can send out a mobile crisis unit. If a student is requesting to go to the Psychiatric Emergency Room or this is a life-threatening situation (such as a suicide attempt or assault to another), call PUBLIC SAFETY AT 333 to request transportation.

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This page was last updated 02/27/2003 by Student Affairs WebMaster

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