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• Wishing to Help a Student

Faculty Wishing to Help a Student

The college years can be times of discovery and excitement, and those of us who work with students strive to incorporate these elements into our teaching. At the same time, the personal and intellectual development which students experience during their college years can be taxing and difficult. They leave the security of home, may experience love and losses, or suffer from alcohol abuse, sexual assault, family problems, and the death of loved ones. In a campus community such as ours, faculty members can help by identifying students in need of assistance and directing them to the helping systems that are already in place at the university.

Students, or anyone for that matter, can experience a crisis if stress exceeds their coping resources. Most crises can be resolved successfully within a few weeks but some cannot. Some crises escalate and may place affected individuals in precarious, even dangerous situations. At the same time, crises can present students with opportunities for significant personal growth, especially when help is provided. Faculty can assist our students in avoiding dangerous situations and can help them develop their potential if they can identify difficulties as they develop and can refer the students to appropriate sources of help. The following information will provide you with some guidance in this process.

What to look for

if you have safety concerns about a student immediately call campus police at 757-221-4596

Academic Indicators Deterioration in quality of work A drop in grades A negative change in classroom performance Missed assignments Repeated absences from class Disorganized or erratic performance Continual seeking of special accommodations (late papers, extensions, postponed examinations, and the like) Essays or creative work which indicate extremes of hopelessness, social isolation, rage, or despair

Faculty-Student Relationship Indicators Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or other difficulties Unprovoked anger or hostility Exaggerated personality traits: more withdrawn or more animated than usual Excessive dependency Tearfulness Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness Expressions of concern about a student in the class by his/her peers A hunch or gut-level reaction that something is wrong

Physical Indicators Deterioration in physical appearance Lack of personal hygiene Excessive fatigue Visible changes in weight Coming to class bleary-eyed, hungover, or smelling of alcohol

Safety Risk Indicators Any written note or verbal statement which has a sense of finality or a suicidal flavor to it Essays or papers which focus on despair, suicide, or death Severe depression Statements to the effect that the student is "going away for a long time" Giving away prized possessions Self-injurious or self-destructive behaviors Any other behavior which seems out of control

What you can do

• You can discuss your concerns with the student and listen for the response. Talking about a problem or labeling it a crisis does not make it worse. It is the first step to resolving it.
• You may call the Office of the Dean of Students at 757-221-2510 to let them know of your concern. This office is often the best position to gather information from a number of different sources. The Dean of Students can also intervene if there is sufficient concern. Click on the “Report Issues and Concerns” button on the Dean of Student’s webpage and submit the “General Student Welfare Concern” form.
• You may call the Counseling Center Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm at 757-221-3620 for a consultation about the student. The staff there will be glad to talk with you about your hunches, worries, and concern. We can sometimes offer suggestions that will help you decide on your next course of action with a student. 
• You can make a referral to the Counseling Center by talking with the student, and then calling us to let us know what you are concerned about. It is helpful for us to have information about what the student may be struggling with even if it is difficult for them to tell us right away. Keep in mind that when you make a referral we tell you whether the student came in without their permission. However, you can follow up by asking the student about their experience. If the student is dissatisfied because of something we may have done, and may not return, please let us know. If they refuse to return because of their own reason don't give up. If your concerns persist revisit your referral from time to time.

Indicators of distress

If you have immediate concerns about a student's safety, stay with the student and notify Campus Police at 757-221-4596 immediately. The Office of the Dean of Students, Counseling Center, and the Campus Police will then implement the university's suicide prevention policy. An immediate evaluation by additional mental health professionals will be arranged.

Issues to Consider

• Avoid making sweeping promises of confidentiality, particularly if a student represents a safety risk to themselves. Students who are suicidal need swift professional intervention, and assurances of absolute confidentiality may get in the way.

• It is acceptable to stay "in role" as a faculty member. You do not have to take on the role of counselor. You need only to listen and refer. If a student needs help but does not want to interact with campus offices, you can contact the Colonial Behavioral Health Center (mental health counseling), (757) 220- 3200 or Avalon (sexual assault counseling), (757) 258-5051 for assistance.