If you have noticed warning signs, you are faced with the decision of whether to intervene. Your interest in your student\u2019s well-being can make an important difference to a person in distress. You may decide to submit a referral to Accessibility Services or use the \u201cStudent of Concern\u201d form available on myUPEI.ca to share your observations with staff in Student Affairs. If you decide to intervene, here are some suggestions that will help you to be a good listener and to increase a student\u2019s willingness to accept a referral to Counselling Services or other resources:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If the student appears to be in imminent danger of hurting themselves or others, consult Student Services (during office hours) (902) 566-0488 or campus security (after hours) (902) 566-0384. If the student discusses thoughts of harm to self or others, call Counselling Services. Consider Calling 911 if you believe there is danger of self-harm\/harm to others. Do not promise to keep threats to self or others a secret.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It is important to be realistic and open about your own limits of time, energy, and training. You do NOT need to take responsibility for the student's problem and try to solve it for them. You do NOT need to act as a therapist. Instead, your goal should be to help students find the professional help that they need.<\/p>\r\n
Presenting yourself as knowledgeable about campus services can ease a student\u2019s discomfort about seeking help. For a list of internal and external referral offices please go to the Referrals Appendix. Here are some suggestions for emergency and non-emergency situations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Many students encounter difficulties or trouble in their personal, social, academic, career, or emotional lives. Often these students come to Counselling Services on their own. Sometimes, however, they are referred by others at the University who become aware of their distress and hope that counselling might be helpful. In fact, faculty and staff who have frequent contact with students are in an excellent position to identify troubled students and assist them in getting the help they need.<\/p>\r\n
In addition to recognizing warning signs, consider referring a student when:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Some language to help you present the idea of a referral to a student might be: \u201cI can help you work out a plan to catch up on the course work, but I\u2019m not the best person to help you manage the other things you are dealing with at the moment. Let\u2019s talk about who might be able to help you with that...\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Don\u2019t say<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Do say<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Things to Avoid<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Don\u2019t say<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Do say<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Don\u2019t say<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Do say<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If it seems clear that a student needs or could benefit from a referral, but is reluctant to go, you might mention any of the following that seem appropriate for that student:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If you have noticed warning signs, you are faced with the decision of whether to intervene. Your interest in your student\u2019s well-being can make an important difference to a person in distress. You may decide to submit a referral to Accessibility Services or use the \u201cStudent of Concern\u201d form available on myUPEI.ca to share your observations with staff in Student Affairs. If you decide to intervene, here are some suggestions that will help you to be a good listener and to increase a student\u2019s willingness to accept a referral to Counselling Services or other resources:<\/p>\n
If the student appears to be in imminent danger of hurting themselves or others, consult Student Services (during office hours) (902) 566-0488 or campus security (after hours) (902) 566-0384. If the student discusses thoughts of harm to self or others, call Counselling Services. Consider Calling 911 if you believe there is danger of self-harm\/harm to others. Do not promise to keep threats to self or others a secret.<\/p>\n
It is important to be realistic and open about your own limits of time, energy, and training. You do NOT need to take responsibility for the student’s problem and try to solve it for them. You do NOT need to act as a therapist. Instead, your goal should be to help students find the professional help that they need.<\/p>\n
Presenting yourself as knowledgeable about campus services can ease a student\u2019s discomfort about seeking help. For a list of internal and external referral offices please go to the Referrals Appendix. Here are some suggestions for emergency and non-emergency situations.<\/p>\n
Many students encounter difficulties or trouble in their personal, social, academic, career, or emotional lives. Often these students come to Counselling Services on their own. Sometimes, however, they are referred by others at the University who become aware of their distress and hope that counselling might be helpful. In fact, faculty and staff who have frequent contact with students are in an excellent position to identify troubled students and assist them in getting the help they need.<\/p>\n
In addition to recognizing warning signs, consider referring a student when:<\/p>\n
Some language to help you present the idea of a referral to a student might be: \u201cI can help you work out a plan to catch up on the course work, but I\u2019m not the best person to help you manage the other things you are dealing with at the moment. Let\u2019s talk about who might be able to help you with that…\u201d<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t say<\/p>\n
Do say<\/p>\n
Things to Avoid<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t say<\/p>\n
Do say<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t say<\/p>\n
Do say<\/p>\n
Emergencies are those situations that require immediate attention (e.g., situations in which a student is highly agitated, cases in which there is an immediate danger of harm to oneself or others, instances in which a student\u2019s ability to function is substantially impaired and normal coping skills are not working).<\/p>\n
If emergency situations should arise outside of Counselling Services office hours, students may be referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Emergency Room \u2013 please note that the QEH will NOT provide over-the-phone advice.<\/p>\n
If the student or another person is in immediate danger, call 911 or campus security at (902) 566-0384.<\/p>\n
\n
If it seems clear that a student needs or could benefit from a referral, but is reluctant to go, you might mention any of the following that seem appropriate for that student:<\/p>\n