Students in Distress: A Helper's Guide

University Counseling Services

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Students in Distress:
A Helper's Guide

University Counseling Services
Division of Student Affairs
316 Student Union
405-744-5472
www.okstate.edu/ucs

Introduction

As an Oklahoma State University faculty, staff, or teaching assistant, you will encounter a student in distress. Your role as a possible helper is not only valuable, it could be crucial. In most cases, you will be able to respond effectively to student needs; however, there might be occasions when you would want to refer a student to someone else for assistance.

This resource is offered to help you recognize signs of student distress and to suggest basic guidelines for effective interventions; however, each student presents a unique situation. If you are concerned about a student’s behavior and/or health, it is always wise to seek consultation with a professional.

The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center, Academic and Career Development Center, Student Counseling Center, Student Disability Services, and Student Judicial Affairs are examples of offices prepared to respond to your questions, should you need additional help assisting a student or making an appropriate referral.

Links for campus referral sources for frequently encountered student problems is at the bottom of this document. A website containing more faculty and advisor resources can be found at www.okstate.edu/ucs/resources.html.

Signs and Symptoms of Student Distress

Excessive procrastination or very poorly prepared work, especially if inconsistent with previous work
Dependency (e.g., a student who hangs around your office or makes excessive appointments)
Listlessness, lack of energy, or falling asleep in class
Poor attendance to class or at work
Marked changes in personal hygiene, appearance, or behavior
Isolation from others
Repeated requests for special consideration, such as deadline extensions or examination deferrals
Impaired speech or garbled, disjointed thoughts
Threat of harming self or others
Behavior that regularly interferes with the decorum or effective management of class
Overtly suicidal statements (i.e., referring to suicide as a current option)
High levels of irritability
Inability to make decisions, despite repeated attempts to clarify and encourage
Alcohol or other drug abuse
Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
Bizarre or strange behavior obviously inappropriate to the situation (e.g., talking to “invisible” people)
Emotions (e.g., fearfulness, tearfulness, or nervousness) displayed to an extreme degree or for prolonged periods

Guidelines for Interaction

Talk with the student privately
Listen carefully
Show concern and interest
For clarification, paraphrase or summarize the student’s statements
Avoid criticizing or judging
Consider the Student Counseling Center as a resource and discuss referral with the student
If the student resists help and you are worried, contact the Student Counseling Center to discuss your concerns with a counselor
Involve yourself only to the extent that you feel comfortable; extending yourself can be a gratifying experience when kept within your range of comfort

Making a Referral to the Student Counseling Center

Suggest that the student make an appointment for counseling. Provide the phone number and location of the Student Counseling Center to the student (316 Student Union, 744-5472).
You can call the Student Counseling Center while the student is in your office and then hand the phone to the student to arrange the appointment date and time. Write down the Student Counseling Center location and phone number for the student.
In an emergency, follow the above procedure, but tell the receptionist that you have a student with you that needs an “emergency appointment.” Except on rare occasions, the student may be seen shortly after your call.
Sometimes it is useful or necessary to walk a student to the Student Counseling Center or another campus referral agency.
Follow-up with the student by inquiring as to whether s/he kept the appointment and how the session went in a general way.

Thoughts About Follow-Up and Confidentiality Procedures

Students can be assured that counseling sessions with Student Counseling Center staff are confidential. We understand that you might be interested in the progress of a student you referred; however, our ability to share information about a student is governed by confidentiality laws and ethics.

We can

Answer questions about steps in referring students to the Student Counseling Center
Offer information about psychological concerns and problems in general

We cannot

Discuss the content of sessions
Say whether a student is being seen or has kept an appointment
Discuss treatment plans or progress

In some cases, a student may find it in his/her best interest for information to be shared with a faculty, staff, family member, or significant other. This is done with the student’s written authorization that includes a clear explanation of the purpose and content of the disclosure. An exception would be a counselor’s determination of imminent danger to the student or others.

Reasons for Referral Failure

Upon occasion, despite good intentions and accurate knowledge of resources, a referral for counseling is not successful. Before you judge yourself, the student, or the referral source too harshly, consider the following possibilities.

The student might not have been ready to receive the kind of help offered. Readiness is an essential component of receiving help.
There might have been a disparity between the student’s expectations and the actual nature and extent of help provided by the referral source.
The referral source might not have been appropriate for the type of help needed.
The referral source might not have been aware of the student’s actual needs due to misunderstanding, misinformation, or poor communication.

Following up on an Unsuccessful Referral

If a referral proves unsuccessful, you can take several steps. Continue to be receptive to the student, try to determine the reason for the referral failure, and once again, explore options with the student.

If disparity or inappropriateness is the problem, try to clarify the student’s needs and expectations, and investigate more thoroughly the nature of the help offered by the referral source. Then try again!

If lack of awareness on the part of the referral source is the problem, with the student’s written permission, make direct contact with the referral source to correct or provide information about the student’s needs.
If incompatibility is the problem, encourage the student to try another person or agency. If you feel comfortable, provide a specific name of an individual for referral.
If lack of readiness is the problem, accept the student’s feelings, but communicate your limitations and encourage the student to consider other options for assistance. It is possible that later, or under different circumstances, the student will be more receptive.

Student Counseling Center

The Student Counseling Center is located in 316 Student Union (744-5472). Office hours are 8:00 am -- noon and 1:00 - 5:00 pm, weekdays. An on-duty counselor is available during these times and available for consultation with you. A counselor is also on call after hours and can be reached through the OSU Police Department (744-6523). The Student Counseling Center offers the following services:

Crisis intervention

Short-term individual counseling

Group counseling

Outreach programs (e.g., communication skills, stress management, time management, career development, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual abuse, self-esteem)

Consultation

Referral

Referral Sources