Counseling & Psychological Services Basics: Recognizing and Responding to Students in Distress.
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Transcript of Counseling & Psychological Services Basics: Recognizing and Responding to Students in Distress.
Counseling & Psychological Services
Basics: Recognizing and Responding to Students in Distress
Values and Beliefs about Mental Health Issues
Recognize origins of our beliefs about mental health
Myths about student mental health issues
Often no clear-cut etiology, straightforward treatment, or resolution for problem
Impact of assumptions when responding to students in distress
College Student Mental Health
Statistics
Please see “Statistics” Handout
College Student Mental Health
Distressed vs. Distressing Students - what is the difference?
Odd or eccentric behavior does not necessarily indicate a mental health problem
Acknowledging own distress or reactions is essential in assisting distressed students
Characteristics and Warning Signs of Distressed Students
Normal developmental reactions and responses
Common stressors that students experience Problems with academic performance Traumatic change in academic status Unusual behavior Traumatic changes in relationships References to suicide or homicide
Responding to Distressed or Distressing Students
General Strategies for responding to distressed students
Responding to ambiguous dangerous behavior
Responding to imminently dangerous behavior
Know Your Limits
Are you feeling responsible for the student? Are you feeling pressure to solve the student's
problems? Are you anxious or stressed out about the
student? Do you know the student personally and may
not be objective enough to help? These feelings suggest a need to seek
consultation or make a referral
Making Referrals to CPS
Staff and faculty not expected to provide psychological counseling
Considerations for making a referral Questions to ask yourself before making a
referral Guidelines for talking to students about a
referral Except in emergencies, important to allow
students to accept or refuse counseling
What you should know about responding to student emergencies
Emergency situations are rare Immediate and decisive action is necessary
when they do occur What is a psychological or mental health
emergency? Stay calm Talk to the student in a clear straightforward
manner If they appear to be dangerous to self or
others, do not leave the student alone
Campus resources for responding to mental health emergencies:
Phone consultation is available from a CPS staff member (831-459-2628) during working hours
You can walk a student over to CPS Central Office for an emergency risk assessment during working hours
Call 911 for UCSC campus police
Final Thoughts
Confidentiality
Self-Care
Case Study
John is a student worker in your office. You have worked with John for over a year. He is very personal and gets along well with the office and other students. You have noticed in the past few weeks that John has begun to distance himself from you and other members of the staff. He appearance has become very disheveled and he looks tired. He has had angry outbursts in the office. He has missed the last three times that he was scheduled to work
Case Study
What is your initial reaction to the vignette? What is your role in the situation? In regards to this particular student, what
issues does this situation present? What additional information, if any, do you
need? Who, if anyone, would you consult with? What are your options? What is your plan of action?
Case Study
A parent calls your office very concerned about their daughter. The parent shares with you that they daughter has a history of mental health concerns and that she has stopped returning e-mails and phone calls. You are familiar with the student’s mental health concerns and have talked to her in the past about getting help for herself. In your conversation with the student she has never indicated that she wants to harm herself or others. The parent wants you to assure them that they daughter is safe.