Supporting Students
As a faculty or staff member, you are often among the first in the campus community to become aware of the emotional, behavioral or health problems of students. Unresolved health issues can interfere with a student’s academic success. We hope this guide will provide you with suggestions to help you effectively respond to students who have difficulties. We encourage you to get to know the staff at the Welty Health and Counseling Center and bookmark this webpage so it’s easy to access when supporting a student. Familiarize yourself with how students schedule appointments and our walk-in hours. This will help you feel more confident when making referrals. In addition to what we have shared below, it is important to utilize the CARE team when you are concerned about a student’s wellbeing.
It’s common for all of us to act a little out of character at times. There are some behaviors which, when they occur repeatedly, may suggest more serious concerns.
It’s a good idea to be alert to the following:
- The student may directly tell you he/she is having problems.
- The student is missing more than a warranted number of classes.
- The student comes to class, but is routinely inattentive. The student may sleep in class or stare into space.
- You observe a noticeable change in a student’s mood. The student is unusually emotional, sad, tearful, irritable, excited, etc.
- The student comes to class under the influence of alcohol or drugs or hung over.
- The student exhibits a dramatic drop in academic performance.
- The student complains of physical distress such as loss of appetite or excessive eating, insomnia or excessive sleeping, gastrointestinal distress, headaches, inability to concentrate, etc.
- The student has made a suicide threat or attempt. A student may communicate this information directly or indirectly through written work.
Whenever possible, speak directly to a student when you sense that they are in academic or personal distress. When you openly acknowledge that you are aware of the student’s distress, show that you are sincerely concerned about their welfare, and demonstrate a willingness to help them explore their alternatives, the student will usually see your actions as positive. Possible steps to take are:
- Request to see the student in private. This may help minimize self-consciousness and defensiveness.
- Briefly acknowledge your observations and perceptions of their situation and express your concerns directly and honestly without being judgmental.
- Actively listen to what the student is troubled about by trying to see the issue from his/her point of view without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing.
- Only involve yourself to the extent that you are comfortable. Sometimes, in an attempt to help a troubled student, you may become more involved than time or skill permits.
- Discuss different options the student has for dealing with the problem. Try to include the advantages and disadvantages of each possible solution.
Here are some guidelines that may help you determine when a particular student’s problem would warrant a referral to Welty Health and Counseling Center.
- A student presents a problem or requests information that is outside your range of knowledge.
- You feel that personality differences between you and the student will interfere with your ability to help the student.
- You feel uncomfortable dealing with the issue or problem.
- A student is hesitant to discuss a problem with you.
- You do not feel that your attempts to help the student have been effective.
- You lack adequate time to listen effectively to the student.
- A student is becoming too dependent upon you.
Whenever students show an interest in talking to someone about their concerns, you can suggest speaking to a provider at the clinic as one of their options. Some students will willingly consider your advice and come to Welty. Sometimes students feel their problems must be extreme in order to receive care. This is not true. It is better to deal with concerns before they become more serious.
How To Refer a Student to Welty Health and Counseling Center
- Be open with the student and state your concern. Make it clear to the student that your recommendation represents your best judgment based on your evaluation of their particular problem(s).
- Anticipate the student’s concerns and fears about seeking care and be prepared to address them.
- State your own limitations. Explain that you care about them and you want to maintain contact with the student, however, you feel that providers from the Welty Health and Counseling staff are better able to assist students with such matters.
- Don’t worry about a referral being seen as an over-reaction. It is better to err on the side of caution and let the center make the assessment of the situation.
- Except in emergencies, the option must be left open to the student to accept or refuse counseling.
- Give the student assurance that everything at the center is confidential, including the fact that they even came in.
- If the student agrees to the referral, offer them the use of your phone to call Welty Health and Counseling center at that time to make an appointment.
- You can offer to come to Welty with the student or suggest that they bring a friend if they are reluctant to come to an appointment alone. This often helps the student feel more at ease.
- Follow up with the student at a later date to show your continued interest and support of their well being even if they did not accept your attempted referral.