Helping Students in Distress: Tips for Faculty & Staff

Mental health problems among college students are on the rise. As a faculty or staff member, you are in a unique position to notice.

At one time or another, everyone feels depressed or upset. However, some warning signs, when present over a period of time, suggest that the problems are more than the “normal” ones.

Signs of Distress

• Serious grade problems
• Unaccountable change from good to poor performance
• Change from frequent attendance to excessive absences
• Change in pattern of interaction
• Marked change in mood
• Marked change in physical appearance
• Repeated request for special consideration
• New or regularly occurring behavior that pushes the limits and may interfere with class management
• Unusual or exaggerated emotional response
• Highly disruptive behavior, e.g., hostility, aggression
• Inability to communicate clearly, e.g., garbled, slurred speech, disjointed thoughts
• Loss of contact with reality, e.g. seeing or hearing things that are not there, belief or actions at odds with reality
• Overt suicidal or homicidal thoughts

When to Refer

• When student problems are outside of your competence area
• When student is using you as a resource beyond what is “normal” for you
• When you feel uncomfortable
• When you need to protect yourself

Tips for Making a Referral

• Talk to the student in private, expressing concern in non-judgmental terms.
• Let the student know about the resources available to him or her.
• Provide information to the student about the Baker Counseling Center.
• If need be, call the Counseling Center with the student.
• Continue to be supportive of the student, but not be a therapist to the student.