FOR FACULTY
Faculty is often among the first to notice that a student is in distress. Students might appear depressed, withdrawn, anxious, or angry. He/she may be overwhelmed, unable to focus on learning. You may observe a sudden drop in attendance, decreased quality of class work or difficulty completing assignments. Students may also demonstrate atypical, inappropriate or bizarre responses on exams or assignments. These are some of the signs and symptoms of psychological distress and may warrant a referral to the Wellness and Counseling Center or other mental health services outside the CCNY campus. Faculty intervention is a key component in preventing psychological crisis and academic failure.
Consider a referral to the Wellness and Counseling Center when:
· You have questions or concerns about a student’s emotional state and/or behavior.
· The student’s problems or demands are beyond your role and it appears the student might need professional help.
Making referrals to the Wellness and Counseling Center:
· Express concern to student and suggest that he/she call or visit the Wellness and Counseling Center.
· Contact Dr. Pereta Rodriquez (Director) at (212) 650-8222 if you consider it an emergency (e.g. suicidal or homicidal behavior, emotional or violent outbursts, psychosis).
· If not an emergency, consider helping the student to make the initial appointment, or allowing them to call from your office. You may even want to escort student to WCC, Marshak Bldg J-15.
· Once the referral is made, communication between the student and the counselor is often confidential, but you may be informed of attendance of the initial appointment.
· Consider checking a week later with the student to see if he or she has followed through with the appointment.
· Communicate your ongoing concern and availability to the student.
SUICIDAL IDEATION
Most suicide attempts are preceded by messages that indicate that person is considering taking his/her life. If you suspect suicide potential, don’t be afraid to ask these questions:
Is the student actively thinking about suicide?
How frequent are these thoughts? How intense?
What is the plan for suicide- exactly how will they do it?
When and where do they intend to carry out the plan?
Have they ever attempted suicide before and when?
For people who are considering suicide, these questions will not furnish them with new ideas. Most people who are actively suicidal are more than willing to discuss their plan.
The less specific and lethal the plan, (e.g. “I guess I’d take some sleeping pills sometime”), the less likely a suicide attempt.
Some general suggestions, which might be helpful, include:
- Talk with student in private
- Listen carefully
- Be accepting and nonjudgmental
- Try to help the person identify the problem in a way that is most comfortable to you
- Know your personal limits as a helper. You may not feel comfortable trying to help someone cope with a particular problem, but you might be able to refer them to appropriate services
PLEASE NOTE: Intake services are scheduled as soon as possible. If students are deemed in crisis, faculty should immediately call the Wellness and Counseling Center at (212) 650-8222 or (212) 650-5915.
