1. How to Identify, Help, and Refer Distressed Students
University Counseling Center
Saint Liam Hall

2. Today’s Goals Recognize signs of distress
Feel empowered to express your concerns directly
Learn how to refer to appropriate resources

3. Video

4. Tips for Recognizing Distressed Students

5. Pay Attention to Your Own Reactions

6. How can you tell
Who is OK...
…and
Who is
Not?

7. Signs of Distress

8. Emotional Changes: Sad Angry/Irritable Anxious Withdrawn Confused Unusually Elated

9. Physical Changes: Disordered Eating Sleep Patterns Appearance Hygiene
Tiredness
Complaints of headaches or stomach problems
Weight Gain/Loss

10. Behavioral Changes: Frequent absences Decline in quality of academics
Inability to sit through classes
Disruptive Behavior
Repeated requests for special accommodations
Suicidal or homicidal themes in papers

11. Risk Factors Lack of support Giving away possessions
Expressions of a suicidal or homicidal nature
Self-injuring or
self-destructive
Threats
Out of control
Sexual assault
Secretive
Illness
Grief/Loss
Substance Use

12. How To Interact With a Distressed Student
Schedule Private Meeting
Express Genuine Concern
Share Observations
Listen Well
Consider Consultation with UCC

13. Making a Referral to UCC
Normalize
Inform about confidentiality

14. Making a Referral to UCC
How to schedule an appointment
Open M-F, 8:30-5
Can call ( ) or walk-in
What to expect
Intake
Assignment to services
Crisis Intervention if needed

15. Making a Referral to UCC
If it is a crisis…
Call UCC to consult
Consider walking student over to UCC
Crisis examples
Risk of harm
Disabling emotional distress
After-Hours Urgent Crisis Line:

16. Making a Referral to UCC
If the student refuses
Respect choice
Encourage to try one session or take time to think it over
Give UCC number ( ) and web address (ucc.nd.edu)
Follow-up
Check with student
Request student to sign a release of information at UCC

17. Let’s Talk Brief Consultation/Support Service Walk-in
Free and Confidential
Three Sites
-Lafortune
-Fitzpatrick Hall
-Coleman-Morse

18. University Counseling Center
Third Floor, Saint Liam Hall
Appointment Hours 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
ucc.nd.edu