Emerson College

Helping Students in Distress: A Guide for Faculty & Staff

Manny Paraschos
Manny Paraschos
risa_miller_thumb
Cindy Bartlett

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Counseling Center is an excellent place for the Emerson students to begin exploring personal concerns, family problems, or psychological issues. The Center is operated by licensed psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and graduate interns. All staff members are committed to working using a developmental framework that supports academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of undergraduate and graduate students. As faculty and staff members, you know the kind of stress that students often face balancing school, work, relationships, and personal development. In your role, there are times when you have the unique opportunity to listen, provide support, and make a difference in a student’s life. If you are not sure how to help a student, we encourage you to call or e-mail the ECCC for a consultation. Sometimes, the best option for the student may be a referral to the Counseling Center.

TIPS FOR COPING WITH A CRISIS

TIPS FOR RECOGNIZING TROUBLED STUDENTS

  • Serious grade problems
  • Unaccountable change from good to poor performance
  • Change from frequent attendance to excessive absences
  • Change of pattern in interaction
  • Marked change in mood, motor activity, or speech
  • Marked change in physical appearance
  • Repeated request for special consideration
  • New or regularly occurring behavior which pushes the limits and may interfere with class management
  • Unusual or exaggerated emotional response
  • Highly disruptive behavior (hostility, aggression, etc.)
  • Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, slurred speech, disjointed thoughts)
  • Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things that are not there, beliefs or actions that are at odds with reality)
  • Overt suicidal or morbid thoughts
  • Homicidal threats

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • TALK with the student in private when you both have time.
  • LISTEN carefully in a sensitive, non-threatening way before giving an opinion or advice.
  • GIVE hope. Assure the student that things can get better if they let you help find additional resources.
  • AVOID judging, evaluating, and criticizing even if the student asks your opinion.
  • HELP the student identify options for action and probable consequences.
  • MAINTAIN clear and consistent boundaries and expectations.
  • REFER the student with the reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength and courage.

WHEN TO MAKE A REFERRAL

Even though you may be willing to help when a student asks you for assistance with a problem, there are certain circumstances when you should suggest other resources, such as when:
  • You are not comfortable handling the situation.
  • The necessary help is not your expertise.
  • Personality differences interfere with your ability to help.
  • You know the student personally (a friend, neighbor, friend of a friend, etc.) and feel you may not be objective enough to help.
  • The student seems reluctant to discuss the situation with you.
  • You see little progress in the student.
  • You feel overwhelmed or pressured for time.

HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL

  • Let the student know that you think he or she needs additional support.
  • Assure the student that the Counseling Center services are strictly confidential.
  • Suggest that the student call the Counseling Center at 617.824.8595. The Center's hours are M-F, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed holidays and weekends.
  • Inform the receptionist or a clinician if the student's situation is life threatening. Our staff is available on a same-day basis in an urgent situation. You may want to call us when the student is in your office or accompany the student to the Counseling Center.

THE COUNSELING CENTER

We encourage students to make their own appointments by calling 617.824.8595.  At the student's first visit to the Center, they will fill out information and consent forms prior to the session. During the first appointment, the counselor will begin to assess the student's needs and determine the most effective ways of helping. Options may include counseling at the Center or referral to another provider.

IN AN EMERGENCY

Try to stay calm. Find someone to stay with the student while calls are being made.

For students expressing threats to themselves or others, or who act in a disruptive or highly irrational way, please call

Campus Police Emergency Line:
617.824.8888		 Center for Health and Wellness:
617.824.8666
Counseling Center:
617.824.8595		 Dean of Students:
617.824.8640