1. CAPS & Housing: Understanding and Enhancing Liaison Relationships
Jennifer Hester, LCSW
Lead Mental Health Professional/ Interim Associate Director of Clinical Services
July 18, 2018

2. CAPS is located on the 2nd floor of the University Health Center
Open Monday – Friday
8 am - 5 pm

4. CAPS Services
Clinical services are offered at a reduced cost to eligible students and their spouses who have paid the student health fee.
Note: the student health fee is only automatically charged Fall and Spring semesters and must be intentionally chosen during the Summer semester.
Limited financial assistance is available based on need.
Providers include independently licensed clinicians, early career professionals, and trainees.

5. Accessing and Initiating Services
An appointment for a brief 30-minute in-person screening can be scheduled using the University Health Center patient portal online (uhs.uga.edu) or by calling CAPS during business hours. This appointment is the entry point for all CAPS services. There is no charge for this initial screening.
During the screening, basic information is gathered in order to determine appropriate resources to support the student whether at CAPS, another campus agency or community provider in the best way possible. This may or may not include CAPS services.

6. Initial Contact
If individual services at CAPS are recommended, a student may continue to see the clinician who conducted the screening, or a student may be assigned to work with a different clinician. Determinations are based on a student’s needs and clinician availability.
During periods of peak demand, there may be some delay in accessing services.

7. Related On-Campus Resources
Center for Counseling and Personal Evaluation
Aderhold Hall
ASPIRE Clinic
McPhaul Center
Psychology Clinic
Psychology Building

8. Crisis Services
During business hours (Monday – 8 AM – 5 PM) students in crisis may walk in to be seen that same day with no appointment required.
After business hours (after 5 PM weekdays and 24 hour weekends), students who are experiencing an emergency may contact the UGA Police Department and ask to speak to the CAPS on-call clinician. (706)

9. Crisis & Support Lines Crisis Text Line text “HOME” to 741741
Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL)
National Domestic Violence Hotline SAFE (7233)
National Hopeline Network SUICIDE ( )

10. Crisis & Support Lines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline live chat:
Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) HOPE (4673) live chat:
Trevor Project text “TREVOR” to (Mon - Fri between 3pm - 10pm EST) live chat:

11. Crisis & Support Lines
Veteran’s Crisis Line (press 1) text live chat:

12. Brief Overview of Identifying Distress

13. The ABCDE Assessment Model
A = Affect (Emotions) – What are the primary feelings of the student?
Expressed both verbally and nonverbally
Substantially under control vs. wide variation in emotional reactivity
Normal response to situational stress vs. response that is intense and/or chronic
Feelings are primarily positive vs. feelings that are primarily negative
B = Behavior – What are the actions of the student in response to the crisis?
Behavior that is appropriate for the situation vs. behavior that impacts daily functioning.
Effective coping vs. destructive (or potentially destructive behaviors)
C = Cognition (Thinking) – What are the thoughts, beliefs and explanations that help the student define the meaning of the crisis?
Rational vs. irrational thoughts.
Able to solve problems vs. limited problem-solving ability.
Unable to understand or respond to questions
D = Development – Is the crisis developmental (related to level of maturity) or situational (related to environmental stress) in nature?
E = Ecosystem (Support Systems) – Does the student have a strong or weak support system?
Is the student willing to utilize support?
What is the culture/ethnicity of the student and do cultural norms impose a barrier to help-seeking?

14. Signs of Distress Physical Symptoms Emotional Symptoms
Irregular bowel movements
Twitching or shaking
Irregular or missed periods
Getting sick more often than normal
Reduced libido
Chest pain
Headaches
Nausea
Muscle aches
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Indigestion
Fatigue
Changes in weight
Emotional Symptoms
A sense of hopelessness
Crying spells
Impatience
Sadness lasting longer than two weeks (depressed mood)
Frequently overwhelmed
Restlessness/agitation
Reduced or eliminated desire for activities once enjoyed or regularly done
Irritability
Sense of isolation/withdrawal
Trouble coping
More frequent negative attitude
Helplessness/dependency
Mood swings
Cognitive Symptoms
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble remembering things or forgetfulness
Chronic worrying
Anxious thoughts or feelings
Reduced or impaired judgment
Impaired speech
Repetitive or unwanted thoughts
Behavioral Symptoms
Change in eating habits
Change in sleeping habits
New or increased use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol
Changes in hygiene
Engaging in risky behaviors
Inability to complete everyday respondibilities
Change in school or work performance
Unusual desire for social isolation
Frequent lying
Trouble getting along with peers, staff or teachers
Increased conflicts

15. Functional Distress Chronic Distress Critical - Non-Emergency
Conversation
Talk privately
Do not promise to keep information shared confidential
Listen carefully
Ask how you can best support student during a difficult time
Be non-judgmental
Respect the student's value system
Consider referral to psychoeducational programming or CAPS
Observe any ongoing difficulties
Functional Distress
Does not interfere with daily activities, e.g. student maintains regular routine of going to class
Conversation (see above)
Refer to CAPS
Be clear with the student about the limits of your ability to help
Encourage the student to get to the experts who can help them address his/her concerns
Remind the student that counseling services are confidential and accessible
Consider consulting CAPS staff for suggestions on referring reluctant students or to discuss student concerns
Document
Make a record of your observations, conversation and recommendations
Ongoing observation
Chronic Distress
Some disruption in daily activities or problems more than two weeks in duration
Consultation
During office hours contact CAPS liaison or CAPS Walk-In clinician for recommendations
Provide CAPS staff with a description of the situation that has led to your concern
During office hours, accompany student (if wanted) to CAPS
Make a call to CAPS with the student present
For students who are resistant or unwilling to come to CAPS, consider contacting Carrie Smith in Dean of Students office
Critical -
Non-Emergency
Significant changes observed or intensity of symptoms has increased
CALL UGA POLICE AT
Emergency personnel will manage and transport life-threatening emergencies
Contact On-Call Counselor
If the student is threatening to harm self or others (no direct action taken)
If the student requests to speak with a counselor
For consultation regarding critical mental health concerns and appropriate intervention
Do not call counselor if the student is under the influence -- if necessary, transport to hospital or otherwise detail to ensure student safety
Record concerns and observations, consultations, decision-making process and actions taken
Critical - Emergency
Threatens (directly or indirectly) to harm self or others or is unable to care for self

17. 2018-2019 Academic Year Liaisons

18. QUESTIONS?