Daytona Beach Campus

Faculty and Staff Resource

As someone who works with students on a daily basis, you are almost guaranteed at some point to be either an observer or a direct confidant of a student undergoing some emotional distress.

Your role can be immensely important in providing support, encouragement and help with immediate problem solving. Many times that is all that is needed. On other occasions, you may discover that the troubled student has more lasting or severe problems which require professional help, or you may just not be comfortable enough with either the relationship or the particular issues to get involved yourself. Referring the student to the Counseling Center for needed services, or calling for a consultation about how to best handle the situation are options available to you.

The following guide contains suggestions about how to approach a student you are concerned about, how to recognize signs of a crisis and determining when and how to refer.

Typical issues addressed at the Counseling Center include anxiety, depression, relationship concerns or break-ups, grief, sexuality, stress, family problems and personal growth.

Approaching a Student

When talking with a student about a personal or emotional situation, it is helpful to:

  • Provide a private setting.
  • Empathize: Attempt to understand the student without judging or moralizing.
  • Normalize: Reassure the student that it is okay to be upset or overwhelmed.
  • Take the anxiety out of asking for help. Support the wisdom in seeking help.
  • Speak in a calm, supportive voice. Emphasize that you care about the student’s well-being.

When to Refer a Student:

Generally refer if:

  • You notice a marked change in personal hygiene, weight or alertness.
  • You observe uncharacteristic personality traits or behaviors such as moodiness, pessimism, low self-esteem, irritability, withdrawal or disruptiveness.
  • There is a loss in motivation, drop in grades or excessive absenteeism.
  • You learn of a significant loss, such as a death in the family or break-up of a relationship.
  • You hear concerned comments or complaints from other students.
  • The problem has continued, despite the student’s repeated efforts to resolve it.
  • The student appears to be developing an unhealthy dependency on you for ongoing emotional support.
  • You feel you have reached your limit or exhausted your ideas on how to help.

Suggested Phrases When You Refer:

  • “Have you thought about using the Counseling Center? We could call them right now to schedule an appointment or I could walk you over to the office. “
  • “A counselor at the Counseling Center could help you sort through your thoughts and feelings. I encourage you to try a few sessions to see if counseling can help.”
  • “You’ve been dealing with this for a long time now; maybe it’s time to do/try something new. Let’s call the Counseling Center.”
  • “I care about you and I want to help, but I think a professionally trained counselor may be better able to assist.”

Refer immediately to Campus Safety (386-226-7233) and/or 911 if:

  • Student exhibits violent behavior
  • Student makes suicidal or homicidal threats or statements of intent

Refer immediately to Counseling (386-226-6035) if:

  • Student expresses feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
  • There is a gross mental impairment or confusion.
  • You observe bizarre thinking and/or behaviors.
  • Uncontrollable sobbing or other intense emotion prevents the student from expressing the nature of the problem.
  • Student reports involvement in or awareness of abusive relationships.
  • Student shows signs of injury to self: cuts, bruises or burns.

Note: In addition to placing a call to the Counseling Center and identifying the student’s name and the nature of the crisis, it will also be necessary to accompany the student in crisis to the office. It is not necessary for you to remain beyond that point, unless you wish to do so.

How to Refer:

If your decision is to refer a student, it will be helpful if you:

  • Know exactly where the Counseling Center is located. The Wellness Center Complex, Building #20, is adjacent to Health Services
  • Offer to call the Counseling Center (386-226-6035) on the student’s behalf, while he or she is with you
  • Remind the student that counseling is confidential
  • Offer to escort the student to the Counseling Center

Helpful Hints:

  • If the student appears agitated, enlist the help of a co-worker so the student is not left alone and you are not left alone with the student.
  • Do not refer the student to a specific counselor. Some students feel let down if that counselor is unavailable.
  • It is supportive and appropriate for you to inquire if the student followed through with the counseling referral/recommendation.
  • Due to confidentiality, be aware that the Counseling Center can not verify if a student attended counseling without the student’s written permission.