Information for Faculty and Staff

HOW DO I REFER A STUDENT FOR COUNSELING?

If you are concerned about a student and wish to refer them for counseling, please urge the student to contact the Clinical Counselors to schedule an appointment. The student can call 607.844.6577 or come to Room 118A. If you do this by email, please copy clinical counselors on the email so they can follow up on the referral. Please note that no one but the student can schedule an appointment for that student. We encourage you to contact Clinical Counselors to notify us that you have referred a student for services or have any concerns about a student.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT A STUDENT BUT DON'T KNOW IF A REFERRAL IS NEEDED. WHAT CAN I DO?

Call 607.844.6577 or visit Health and Wellness Counseling and Case Management (Room 122) to share and discuss your concerns. 

Referrals are appropriate when:

  • The student鈥檚 academic functioning appears impaired by the problem
  • The problem is serious or is more serious than you feel comfortable handling (e.g., a student expresses suicidal thoughts)
  • You have talked with the student but feel additional assistance is indicated
  • The student is not willing to talk with you about a problem
  • You are not sure if your teacher-student relationship may affect your ability to handle the problem
  • The student requests information or help that you are unable to provide
  • You are feeling burned out by a student repeatedly seeking your help

There are many potential signs of student distress that may indicate a student is having difficulty. Social withdrawal, declining academic performance, significant difficulty concentrating, changes in hygiene, disjointed thoughts, jumbled speech, chronic irritability, frequent tearfulness, lack of participation, irrationality, and threatening statements (e.g., I don't care anymore, I just feel like I can鈥檛 go on and don't want to) all are signs that may indicate that the student is in significant distress.

We recommend that you set up a time to meet individually with the student. Avoid discussing your concerns in front of the student鈥檚 classmates, as this can lead to feelings of humiliation and increased defensiveness in the student.

In that meeting, be specific when stating your concerns, listen carefully, exude a caring style, and avoid any statements that may sound judgmental or dismissive. You may find that your contact alone is all the student needs to address the concerns you have. However, if you feel your contact with the student had limited effect and/or you sense the student needs more help, do not hesitate to contact Counseling staff. If you suspect a student may be suicidal, it is imperative to ask gently but directly whether the student is thinking of killing or harming themselves. If the student reports plans for suicide or self-harm, immediate contact Mental Health Counseling and/or Campus Police if warranted.

If you believe that a student is out of control or potentially dangerous, please do not approach. Instead, immediately contact Counseling and/or Campus Police. 

 

If referring a student to Counseling is awkward for you, it may help to consult with Counseling staff about the matter. Approaching the student from a collaborative/problem-solving perspective (e.g., 鈥I've noticed that you鈥檙e having some difficulty and I am wondering what you might think about meeting one of the College clinical counselors鈥), rather than bluntly telling the student to get help, will likely reduce your own discomfort, as well as the student鈥檚.

Often students are afraid to get help. We recommend that you ask about such fears if you decide to make a referral. Simply acknowledging and normalizing the student鈥檚 fears may alleviate them. Students may feel that their need for assistance is an indication of personal failure. In this case, remind your student that facing one鈥檚 problems is a sign of strength, rather than weakness, and that even the most 快播视频ful students and physicians have needed help at times.

Students sometimes have concerns about the confidentiality of services. It is imperative to inform students that services offered through Counseling are confidential and that no one on or off-campus will be informed of their participation in the service. Records of their visits and services accessed are never part of their academic record.

Cost is often another concern. If this is the case, remind the student that services through the Counseling are free.

Sometimes students think they must be in crisis or have very serious problems in order to seek help. Remind students that services are available to all students for all types of problems.

Some students could benefit from help but resist making an appointment. It is important for you to remember that you can care about the well-being of your students, but cannot force them get help. If you encounter an actively suicidal student who is resistant to seeking help, you should immediately contact Campus Police by dialing 911 or 607.844.6511. In cases where a student is acting in a very unusual, worrisome, or disruptive, you may wish to contact Campus Police, Clinical Counselors, and/or the CARE Team.

 

Faculty and staff may consult with the Clinical Counselors about their concerns about students. However, information about students who receive care in Counseling cannot be released to faculty or staff unless the student provides written permission to release information.

Thank you for helping us to better serve our students.