Recognizing and Responding to Students in Crisis

“Faculty and staff play a crucial role in recognizing student distress and in directing the student to appropriate supports”. 

Students in Distress and the Role of Faculty and Staff

Students today face increased pressure and stress from many sources, including family, relationships, cultural issues, academic, and many other areas.  Faculty and staff play a crucial role in recognizing student distress and providing support, and in directing the student to appropriate supports. 

Crisis is often described as any situation in which the demands exceed the resources available.  For our students, demands would range along a continuum from a temporary stressful situation to serious trauma or distress.

For most students, simply accessing a caring and empathic “ear” can help them reactivate their own coping resources and supports.  However, in certain circumstances, faculty/staff may wish to refer the student to other supports, including Counselling Services.  These might include situations involving: 

·                      signs/threat of serious injury or potential danger to student or other

·                      signs/threat of significant deterioration in functioning

·                      serious mental health difficulties (depression, anxiety, psychosis) 

·                      threat of legal liability

·                      volatile/uncertain outcome

Indicators of Crisis:  Many students struggle to ask for help outright, but may exhibit their need for assistance in less direct ways such as: 

·                      unusual behaviour or significant change in behaviour

·                      sudden/severe drop in academic performance or attendance

·                      appearing distraught or disoriented

·                      presenting as disruptive in class

·                      abusing drugs/alcohol

·                      exhibiting self harming behaviour

·                      requesting inordinate amounts of your time discussing concerns

What You Can Do to Help

Listen.  Often, simply having someone take the time to listen to their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way will help “take the pressure off”, and help the student refocus on a coping plan.  Responding in a way that both validates the significance of student’s concern without appearing alarmed can help the student feel “normal” and able to seek other assistance.

Know (and convey) your own limits and availability.  It is fine to offer personal support, but best for all involved if you clearly state your professional and personal boundaries, training, and time limitations, while offering other options to the student.

Don’t feel you have to solve the student’s problem, or take responsibility for the student.  There are many other supports available within the university, and your contribution may be to help the student find appropriate resources and feel comfortable accessing them.

Refer to Counselling Services or other services within the university.  Counselling Services will meet with any student to complete a consultation/intake screening and will make recommendations regarding possible supports (on campus and in the community). 

It is important to be aware that even if you refer a student to Counselling Services, we are unable to share information about the student with you without his/her permission (unless there is a life threatening situation). 

It is also important to respect the student’s right to not utilize supports available to him/her, including counselling, and to respect that there is a process of “readiness” in approaching change.  If a student continues to present to you and does not follow up with the supports you suggest, you may wish to consider your own personal limits and boundaries with respect to your energy and ability to help.

If the student appears hesitant to attend Counselling Services, remind him/her that:

·                      there is no charge

·                      the student can attend a one-time only consultation

·                      the student can bring along a support person (friend, don, etc.)

·                      information cannot be released without the student’s written permission

Services for Current Students 

Counselling Services is also available to assist students with personal counselling, performance skills coaching, post-trauma debriefing and other consultative and educational services. 

1.  Intake Consultation:  All students who present to Counselling Services will meet initially with an Intake Counsellor.  During this meeting, the student’s reason(s) for considering counselling are reviewed and feedback is given regarding options to address the student’s issue.  If counselling is recommended, the Intake Counsellor will attempt to match the client with the most appropriate counsellor or service.  Some issues can be resolved in this one meeting, while others may require further counselling.

2.  Crisis Counselling:  A limited number of crisis appointments are kept available to ensure that students in crisis can be seen in a timely manner.  While it is always best to call ahead to check availability (x2338), a student may come directly to Counselling Services to await the next available appointment.  If Counselling Services is not available to address a crisis due to schedule or demand, the student will be provided with information regarding other crisis services available.

3.  Personal Counselling:  Our counselling staff are graduate level professionals familiar with the personal issues that may affect a student’s academic success and personal life.  Some common personal issues include: