Counseling & Psychological Services

Basics: Recognizing and Responding to Students in Distress

Values and Beliefs about Mental Health Issues

Recognize origins of our beliefs about mental health

Myths about student mental health issues

Often no clear-cut etiology, straightforward treatment, or resolution for problem

Impact of assumptions when responding to students in distress

College Student Mental Health

Statistics

Please see “Statistics” Handout

College Student Mental Health

Distressed vs. Distressing Students - what is the difference?

Odd or eccentric behavior does not necessarily indicate a mental health problem

Acknowledging own distress or reactions is essential in assisting distressed students

Characteristics and Warning Signs of Distressed Students

Normal developmental reactions and responses

Common stressors that students experience Problems with academic performance Traumatic change in academic status Unusual behavior Traumatic changes in relationships References to suicide or homicide

Responding to Distressed or Distressing Students

General Strategies for responding to distressed students

Responding to ambiguous dangerous behavior

Responding to imminently dangerous behavior

Know Your Limits

Are you feeling responsible for the student? Are you feeling pressure to solve the student's

problems? Are you anxious or stressed out about the

student? Do you know the student personally and may

not be objective enough to help? These feelings suggest a need to seek

consultation or make a referral

Making Referrals to CPS

Staff and faculty not expected to provide psychological counseling

Considerations for making a referral Questions to ask yourself before making a

referral Guidelines for talking to students about a

referral Except in emergencies, important to allow

students to accept or refuse counseling

What you should know about responding to student emergencies

Emergency situations are rare Immediate and decisive action is necessary

when they do occur What is a psychological or mental health

emergency? Stay calm Talk to the student in a clear straightforward

manner If they appear to be dangerous to self or

others, do not leave the student alone

Campus resources for responding to mental health emergencies:

Phone consultation is available from a CPS staff member (831-459-2628) during working hours

You can walk a student over to CPS Central Office for an emergency risk assessment during working hours

Call 911 for UCSC campus police

Final Thoughts

Confidentiality

Self-Care

Case Study

John is a student worker in your office. You have worked with John for over a year. He is very personal and gets along well with the office and other students. You have noticed in the past few weeks that John has begun to distance himself from you and other members of the staff. He appearance has become very disheveled and he looks tired. He has had angry outbursts in the office. He has missed the last three times that he was scheduled to work

Case Study

What is your initial reaction to the vignette? What is your role in the situation? In regards to this particular student, what

issues does this situation present? What additional information, if any, do you

need? Who, if anyone, would you consult with? What are your options? What is your plan of action?

Case Study

A parent calls your office very concerned about their daughter. The parent shares with you that they daughter has a history of mental health concerns and that she has stopped returning e-mails and phone calls. You are familiar with the student’s mental health concerns and have talked to her in the past about getting help for herself. In your conversation with the student she has never indicated that she wants to harm herself or others. The parent wants you to assure them that they daughter is safe.