Referral Guide for Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff members on campus have the opportunity of having ongoing, direct contact with students and are in the position to identify students who are struggling. Faculty and staff members should determine their personal comfort levels with becoming involved with student problems. It is important to know your own limitations in providing assistance to students and that you are aware of times when the best option is a referral.
Identifying Students Who May Benefit from a Referral
References to suicide: statements made in class and writing assignments that contain references to suicide must be addressed. The more specific the references (i.e. mentioning a plan and having the means) are very serious and this student must meet with a counselor.
Requests for help: a student's request for help can come in many forms. If a student expresses a need for help outside your level of comfort, a referral to the counseling office should take place.
Observable changes or inappropriate behavior: withdrawn behavior, angry or aggressive behavior, statements of helplessness/hopelessness, noticeable anxiety, low self-esteem or depressed behavior, chronic lateness, sleeping in class, lack of or diminishing hygiene.
Alcohol and drug abuse: blood-shot eyes, impaired speech and motor skills, smell of alcohol or drug use; concern from other students regarding a classmate's use of drugs and alcohol.
Academic problems: noticeably anxious in class and during tests, consistently not completing assignments or inability to complete homework correctly, poor motivation, statements that suggest lack of career direction, desire to drop course, poor attendance
Other: conflict between you and the student that you are unable to resolve, being asked to step outside your normal role to provide some assistance to a student, any feeling of concern for the safety or well-being of a student, parental involvement that seems excessive or inappropriate.
How to Refer
The Counseling Office designates a shadow counselor each day. This counselor keeps her/his schedule open so that they are available for any crisis situation or student who wants to meet with someone immediately about a personal concern. If you feel that a student needs to see a counselor immediately, please feel free to walk the student to our office.
Student who approaches you for help:
1) Listen to the concern of the student.
2) Determine your level of comfort with the presenting problem and if it is appropriate for you work with this student.
3) If student issue is outside your level of comfort:
-let the student know you want to help them and care about them
-be honest and tell the student that you may not be the best person to help them.
-let the student know that there are counselors on campus and she/he can speak with one immediately. It's confidential and free.
4) Offer to walk with the student down to the counseling office to make sure that they meet with a counselor or set up an appointment.
Student for a student who doesn't approach you for help:
1) Document behavior of concern (date, behavior observed and context)
2) Contact Counseling Office to discuss how to intervene.
3) Act on planned intervention.
