University students often encounter a great deal of stress (academic, social, family, work, financial) during the course of their educational experience. While most students cope successfully with the demands of college life, for some the pressures can become overwhelming and unmanageable. Students in difficulty have a number of resources available to them. These include close friends, relatives, clergy, and coaches. In fact, anyone who is seen as caring and trustworthy may be a potential resource in time of trouble.
When a student requests help either directly or indirectly (i.e., missing classes, changes in performance, tearfulness), it is helpful for the faculty/staff to step out of the role of an evaluator and become a “concerned mentor.” Many students may feel uncomfortable with communicating vulnerability or uncomfortable emotions to faculty, so presenting as a “concerned mentor” can help the student feel more comfortable in asking for assistance.
Students have only a certain amount of mental energy. If this energy is consumed in attempting to cope with various problems a student is facing, little energy is left over for the student to apply to learning. The student, therefore, loses motivation for learning. A good example of this is an international student struggling to learn the English language. He becomes frustrated and discouraged. Energy that he puts into dealing with this problem saps away his energy toward his academic studies.
This web page will help you assess students feeling emotionally overwhelmed and help you choose productive options for assisting students in distress.
Three general levels of student distress, when present over time, suggest that problems being dealt with are more than “normal.”
LEVEL 1
These behaviors, although not disruptive to others, may indicate that something is wrong and help is needed:
LEVEL 2
Behaviors at this level may signify emotional distress as well as reluctance to seek personal help:
LEVEL 3
These behaviors identify students needing emergency care:
Because they can be strikingly out of the ordinary, LEVEL 3 behaviors are easy to identify. To best help the student, STAY CALM AND KNOW WHOM TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. For managing Level 3 behavior, contact the Counseling Center at x 3553 and/or Protective Services at x 3456. The Emergency Room at St. Michael’s Hospital can be reached at 346-5100.
LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 behaviors allow response choices. You can, for example, choose to bypass emotional issues and deal directly with the student’s request and/or disruptive behavior. This limits faculty/student interaction to classroom issues.
Some faculties choose to interact with distressed students on a more personal level. If you approach a distressed student, or a student seeks you out for help, here are some suggestions for keeping the relationship comfortable and productive:
Although most people accept referrals easily, others feel rejected. The best policy is to be frank with students about the limits of your ability to help – limits of time, energy, training, or objectivity. Assure them that you respect their willingness to talk with you about concerns and that you will support them fully in acquiring assistance. Explain that being referred doesn’t mean they have a serious problem. Their concerns might be among the more common reasons students seek help — such as changes in motivation, difficulties in relationships , anxiety or depression, and worries about the future.
Troubled students have a number of resources available to them. If you can, prepare students for the change in helpers by sharing what you know about the referral person or agency they have chosen.
If students are hesitant about coming to the Counseling Center, you might suggest they contact the Family Crisis Center (345-6511); a 24-hour phone and walk-in crisis counseling service. Trained counselors will assist callers anonymously.
Students should make their own appointments, if possible. They can stop by the Center on the third floor of Delzell or phone 346-3553. The center is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The receptionist will make an appointment for the earliest available date. STUDENTS EXPERIENCING AN EMERGENCY ARE ASSISTED THAT DAY.
By law, students association with the Center is held in strict confidence.
During the first appointment, the therapist works with a student on assessing needs and developing an appropriate plan of treatment. We offer consultation and short-term counseling. If a student’s need is for a longer-term, more ongoing treatment, we will assist him/her in locating appropriate service. Our service is CONFIDENTIAL and FREE of charge to registered students.
Please familiarize yourself with the following campus referrals
that can assist you in helping the student feel more comfortable
emotionally and academically:
PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Telephone: 346-3456
Services: 24 hour transportation and/or protection
COUNSELING CENTER
Telephone: 346-3553
Services: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm — emergency consultation, evaluation,
treatment and referral
TUTOR-LEARNING CENTER
Telephone: 346-3568
Services: Call for open hours — tutors for many campus classes,
assistance with writing papers
ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER
Telephone: 346-3361
Services: Call for appointment — assistance for undeclared majors,
establishing educational plans
CAREER SERVICES
Telephone: 346-3226
Services: Call for appointment — exploring careers, job searches,
locating jobs, graduate school pursuits
DISABILITY SERVICES
Telephone: 346-3365
Services: Call for appointment — academic accommodations for
disabled students
FINANCIAL AID
Telephone: 346-4771
Services: 7:45 am to 4:30 pm — financial assistance regarding
appropriate loan options
HEALTH SERVICES
Telephone: 346-4646
Services: 7:45 am to 4:30 pm — prompt and high quality medical
services, wellness approach to health
FAMILY CRISIS CENTER (Off-Campus Referral)
Telephone: 345-6511
Services: 24-hour phone and walk-in crisis services
Adapted by permission of the University Counseling Services, State University of New York-Buffalo. (9-92)