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Especially for Faculty and Staff
 The
college years mark an important period of personal and psychological
growth that can be stressful for students. On occasion students
may experience difficulty coping. You, as a faculty or staff member,
may be one of the first to become aware of personal difficulties
affecting a student. The information that appears below is drawn
from the Counseling Center’s brochure, A Referral Guide for
Faculty and Staff. You may also contact someone at the Counseling Center for hard copies of this brochure (ext. 3388).
About the Counseling Center
The Counseling Center is committed to providing comprehensive, quality
services for all students dealing with developmental concerns or psychological
problems. The staff of the Center is available to assist students with
their personal and social concerns in hopes of helping them achieve satisfying
educational and life experiences. Services offered include:
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Free, confidential counseling for students
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Consultation for faculty and staff
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Psycho-educational programming
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24-hour crisis assessment and intervention
When to Refer—Warning Signs
Consider referring a student to the Counseling Center if you notice any
of these warning signs:
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You find yourself doing more personal counseling than academic advising
with a student
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A student seems excessively tired, anxious, depressed, irritable,
angry, or sad
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You notice marked changes in a student’s appearance or habits
(e.g., deterioration in grooming, hygiene, weight loss, interpersonal
withdrawal, acceleration in activity or speech, or change in academic
performance
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A student seems hopeless or helpless
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A student’s use of alcohol or other substances interferes with
her/his relationships or work
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A student's thoughts or actions appear bizarre or unusual
How to Refer
If you notice any of these warning signs, inform the student of your
concern in a straight-forward, matter-of-fact manner. Be specific regarding
the behavior patterns you have observed. At this point, suggest that he/she
consider personal counseling and refer the student to the Counseling Center.
Encourage the student to come to the Counseling Center during our walk-in
hours (3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday), or to call for an appointment.
Except in emergencies, the student should be allowed the option of declining a referral for counseling.
Alternative referral resources on campus are also available. They include:
Emergencies
An emergency can occur anytime and may require immediate action. The
Counseling Center provides 24-hour emergency crisis assessment and intervention
throughout the academic year. The following are examples of emergency
situations:
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Suicidal gesture, stated intention, or attempt to commit suicide
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Behavior posing an imminent threat to the student or others.
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Demonstrated inability to care for oneself.
Any reference to suicide should be taken very seriously, and a referral
to the Counseling Center is strongly advised. If the reference includes
any mention of details of a suicide plan, immediate response is critical.
How to Respond to an Emergency
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If possible, offer a quiet place for the individual to talk.
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Listen to the person, while maintaining a straightforward, considerate,
and helpful attitude.
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Do not leave the individual alone, unless you feel concerned for
your own safety.
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Secure help as soon as possible.
Whom to Call in an Emergency
When faced with a mental health emergency, please contact the Counseling
Center’s “Counselor-on-call.” During business hours
call the center directly (781-3388); after business hours call the Department
of Campus Safety (781-3333) and ask the dispatcher to page the Counselor-on-call.
If you are concerned about imminent danger to the student or others, ask
the dispatcher to send a security officer right away. Be prepared to provide
as much information as possible, including:
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Your name and department, and the name of the student in question
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Description of the situation and necessary assistance
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Exact location and description of the person in need of help
Confidentiality and Consultations
As required by law and professional codes of ethics, all communication
between a counselor and a client is confidential. Once a student becomes
a Counseling Center client, we cannot discuss his/her situation, or even
acknowledge the fact that counseling is being provided, without the consent
of the student. However, the Center’s staff typically requests students’
permission to acknowledge referrals; if you do not hear from us, it is
likely that permission has been denied.
The limits of confidentiality notwithstanding, the staff at the center
can always listen to your concerns. Don’t hesitate to contact us
to discuss your concerns and explore possible courses of action.
Tips for Managing Emotionally-Laden Discussions with Students
Sometimes troubling events from outside the classroom have a way of intruding on classroom and one-on-one discussions with students. Follow this link for some suggestions on managing emotionally difficult discussions.
Final Note
The staff at the center looks forward to working with you to promote
the academic success and personal development of all Hobart and William
Smith students.
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