Responding to Students in Distress Jill Barber, Ph.D. Georgia Tech Counseling Center

On the Front Line  As faculty members interacting daily with students you are in an excellent position to recognize problems.  You may be the first person a student reaches out to for help.  We realize you may not have time, nor feel qualified to deal with some of the issues you hear from students and we would like to help.

Common warning signs  Behavioral Problems: excessive absences, sleeping in class, not completing assignments, sending s that sound troubled, arguing frequently with classmates or instructors  Change in Personal Hygiene  Irritability  Tearfulness or Aggression  Withdrawal

Interpersonal Problems  Romantic Relationship Issues  Avoidance of others  Dependency  Excessive Anger  Conflicts with classmates or instructors  Family problems

How to facilitate conversation  Talk with the student privately  Express your concern in empathic terms  Point out objective reasons for your concern  Listen – avoid the temptation to give advice immediately or to pass judgment  Let the student know that the counseling center is free and confidential.

Crisis Times  Call for Backup/Get help  Slow everything down  Encourage conversation  Attempt to make a connection  Find common ground

How to make a referral  Normalize the referral (There is a reason that the majority of universities have counseling centers)  Be supportive and offer to help  Remember that the concept of counseling may be culturally unfamiliar to many Tech students.  Encourage student to take responsibility for making the appointment

How to make a referral  During regular business hours (8:00 – 5:00) students came come into the center and schedule an appointment.  If there is an emergency with a student, one of our staff will meet with him or her that day.  The Counseling Center is located in the Student Services Building on the second floor.

Emergency Services  The Counseling Center staff provides emergency coverage 24 hours a day through a pager system.  Call the main number ( ) and follow the prompts, or have the police dispatcher page the counselor on call.

Questions