UAHuntsville Counseling Center

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How To Help A Student In Distress

What are Signs of Difficulty?
Behavior that is different from the norm or that represents a change for a particular student may indicate that a student is having problems. Below are three categories of student distress and how to differentiate a ROUTINE referral from an URGENT, or a CRISIS referral.

Level 1 – (ROUTINE/URGENT referral)
Developmental concerns expressed to you, including: direct statement of need for assistance, or generally talking about problems; expressing confusion over direction life is taking; statements that student has little or no support or no one to talk to; questions about how to balance academics with social life; questions about identity (including sexuality, race, gender, nationality and any other questions related to “who am I?"); managing relationships with family or friends

Level 2 – (ROUTINE/URGENT referral)
Behaviors that may indicate a problem, such as: unusual excessive absences or a change from high to low grades; unusual or noticeably changed interaction patterns in the classroom; depressed or apathetic mood, evidence of crying; excessive activity or talkativeness, or noticeable change in appearance/hygiene; repeated attempts to obtain deadline extensions or postpone tests; inappropriate, exaggerated, or lack of emotional reactions to situations; written assignments that reveal personal problems; significant dependency on faculty or staff (e.g., excessive visitation)

Level 3 – (CRISIS referral)
Behaviors that indicate the student needs emergency care.

violent or other extremely disruptive behavior (hostile threats, assault)
obvious loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing/feeling things not apparent to others, thoughts or behavior inconsistent with reality)
disorganized thoughts or incoherent speech
suicidal or other self-destructive thoughts/actions
homicidal threats

Any suicidal/homicidal thoughts or other Level 3 behaviors should always be taken seriously.

Consultation – How Concerned Should I Be?
If you have doubts or concerns about the seriousness of a student's problems, please consult with one of the staff members at the Counseling Center (824-6203). Please remember that we greatly appreciate referrals before the student reaches a crisis situation.

Making a Referral

ROUTINE referrals (Level 1 & 2 behaviors)
If you believe a student could benefit from individual counseling or participation in a group or workshop, ask the student to call 824-6203 or stop by the Counseling Center in room 113 of the University Center.

URGENT referrals (Level 1 & 2 behaviors)
If you believe the student cannot wait a day or two to talk with a counselor, but should speak directly with someone today, inform her/him that we have a walk-in hour every day. Call ahead to get the most accurate information on walk-in times. If she/he is shy about coming, you may offer to walk over with the student.

CRISIS referrals Daytime (Level 3 behaviors)
If a student is making direct threats to harm self or others, or displays other behaviors outlined in Level 3, please call the Counseling Center immediately for help in handling the situation.

After Hours – If a student is in crisis after office hours, call Public Safety (824-6911) and tell them the nature of the emergency. If it is a mental health emergency, they will contact a member of the Counseling Center. If you believe the student is imminently suicidal or homicidal and you need immediate assistance for safety, contact Public Safety (x6911) to request an officer’s presence.