Oftentimes, students who are dealing with personal concerns and may be in distress typically show some outward signs that they are struggling. All students may experience life's “ups and down,” but this may differ from significant distress experienced over a period of time suggesting a more serious problem. Think of a student’s level of distress represented along a continuum, with different levels. How you go about helping a student will depend on several factors: their level of distress, the nature of your relationship, the type of setting you are in and your comfort level. The following information includes what to look out for as well as strategies and suggestions on how best to assist struggling students.
Distressed Students may be exhibiting behaviors that threaten to harm self or others, psychosis, or becoming extremely withdrawn or depressed. These are severe mental health issues that often constitute urgent or emergent situations.
Disruptive Behavior is behavior that is not conducive to the teaching and learning process (either in the classroom or in other settings such as labs or advising), and that interferes with the functions and services of the University. These behaviors are typically a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
High-Risk Behavior is conduct that threatens to harm self or others, psychosis, or becoming extremely withdrawn or depressed. These are severe mental health issues that often constitute urgent or emergent situations.
CAPS as a Resource
At Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS), the main focus is providing college student mental health services, as well as regularly providing immediate advice to concerned faculty and staff. The counseling staff welcomes your calls at any time to consult with us regarding your concerns about your students. Counseling staff can offer suggestions and ideas about referral options, resources, and other ways to address your concerns.
CAPS has a diverse staff of mental health professionals providing tailored services to honor the unique needs of each student. CAPS is the place on campus for students seeking help for a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress management, homesickness, adjustment or acculturation, relationships, gender identity and sexual orientation (LBGTQ) concerns, substance abuse, trauma, eating or body image concerns, and other personal mental health concerns.
Contact CAPS at 517-355-8270.
Additional Resources
Disruptive behavior is defined as behavior that is not conducive to the teaching and learning process (either in the classroom or in other settings such as labs or advising), and that interferes with the functions and services of the University. These behaviors are typically a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Examples:
Strategies:
Resources:
Distressed students may display behaviors that threaten to harm self or others, psychosis, or becoming extremely withdrawn or depressed. These are severe mental health issues that often constitute urgent or emergent situations.
Distressed students often have not sought counseling and may be unaware of the services available to them. Your role could be crucial in identifying and assisting students who are in distress to find the resources available to help themselves.
Examples:
Strategies:
Signs that indicate a referral to CAPS might be helpful:
How Do I Talk With a Student About a Referral to Counseling at CAPS?
Although it may feel intrusive or awkward to address these personal issues with students, more often than not students appreciate your efforts in the long run. Tell the student you would like to speak with them about concerns you have and ask the student to meet with you during office hours or some other mutually agreed upon time. In the course of sharing your concern do not attempt to be the counselor but do provide information and referral options regarding available campus and community resources.
Guidelines for interacting with the student:
How Do I Make a Referral to Counseling Services?
Can I call and make an appointment at CAPS on the student’s behalf?
We are unable to allow anyone other than the student to make an appointment for counseling at CAPS. You can be most helpful by encouraging the student to make an appointment and/or by allowing the student to call from your office.
What should I do if the student is in distress and immediate attention is needed?
Resources:
High-risk behaviors are defined as those that threaten to harm self or others, psychosis, or becoming extremely withdrawn or depressed. These are severe mental health issues that often constitute urgent or emergent situations.
Examples:
Strategies:
Resources:
As residence hall staff members, you are in the unique position of interacting with students in their living environments. Because of your role, you likely will have occasions in which students are in crisis after hours or during the night. As a supplement to the information provided in the previous section, this section addresses issues unique to residence hall staff who are dealing with students in distress after hours.
Referring Directly to CAPS from the Department of Residence Life
Resident Directors, Hall Directors, Complex Directors, and Area Coordinators can directly refer a student to the counseling services at CAPS by first calling 517-355-8270 or directly walking the student to the CAPS office at Olin Health Center during regular business hours. If after hours please either call the liaison phone number, provided to you, or call or text 911.
What Should I Do if a Student is in Distress and CAPS is Closed?
If a student is in distress, and it is after hours, it may be helpful for you, the residence hall staff member, to talk with the student and determine whether the student can wait for help (functional or chronic – lower risk) or whether immediate attention is required (critical – higher risk). Remember, it is always good practice to consult with other residence hall staff when in doubt. In all cases, residence hall mentors/community coordinators/community peers should always follow the Mental Health Response Protocol you were trained to use as well as your QPR Training. For critical non-emergency cases, contact the ADH or Unit Director on duty. They will have access to a counseling staff member after hours.
For critical/emergency cases, call or text 911 and then contact the AHD or Unit Director on Duty.
Risk can be tricky to determine, and again, it is very important to consult with other staff when you are faced with these types of decisions. Do not make these types of decisions alone.
In general, risk is commonly determined by whether the student is:
Often, risk can be even more difficult to determine when alcohol or other substances are involved. However, the rule “it is better to be safe than sorry” applies here, and once again it is important that you seek consultation with other staff. Remember that alcohol or drug intoxication also carries risks with regard to impulsive behavior, poor decision-making, and mood swings, and therefore it is important to not simply assume that a student will simply “sleep it off.” If you feel that the student’s (or your) safety is at risk, it is important that you call for help immediately. Here are three phone numbers you may need to use:
If you feel that the student’s safety is not at immediate risk (i.e., the student does not intend to commit suicide or homicide in the immediate future), it may be helpful for you to suggest that the student call CAPS when it opens at 8 a.m. the next morning (or the next business day) and schedule an appointment. When the student calls CAPS the next morning, they will have contact with a counselor then or within a few hours.
The CAPS Liaisons welcome calls or emails from Resident Directors, Hall Directors, Complex Directors and Area Coordinators who wish to consult about their residents’ mental health concerns. We ask that mentors follow the Mental Health Response Protocol and consult with their assistant hall directors and complex director first. CAPS is happy to assist any Residence Hall staff member who feels the need to debrief after an especially difficult experience.
I’ve Referred One of My Residents to the Counseling Services at CAPS. How Will I Know If They Went to Their Counseling Appointment?
If the resident that you referred has signed an Authorization Form, we are permitted to let you know information pertaining to that specific resident. However, if the resident decides not to sign an Authorization Form, because of confidentiality, you will not be allowed to gain any information regarding that resident.
A simple way to support both the mental health of students and campus suicide prevention efforts is to include a brief statement on your course syllabus. This helps promote help-seeking behaviors and demonstrates that instructors care about student wellbeing.
Each option can be personalized for your use.
This version is designed for students new to MSU
College students often experience issues that may interfere with academic success such as academic stress, sleep problems, juggling responsibilities, life events, relationship concerns, or feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or depression. If you or a friend is struggling, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Helpful, effective resources are available on campus, and most are at no-charge.
If you are struggling with this class, please visit during office hours or contact me by email at xxxxxx@msu.edu
Check-in with your academic advisor if you are struggling in multiple classes, unsure whether you are making the most of your time at MSU, or unsure what academic resources are available at MSU.
Access CAPS Services for new counseling services by scheduling a consultation.
CAPS is providing remote crisis services 24/7/365. Students can call us at 517-355-8270 and press “1” at the prompt to speak with a crisis counselor. Other prompt options are available for those not in crisis.
Visit UHW Counseling and Psychological Services for additional information and resources.
Streamlined to focus on mental health services
College students often experience issues that may interfere with academic success such as academic stress, sleep problems, juggling responsibilities, life events, relationship concerns, or feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or depression. If you or a friend is struggling, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Helpful, effective resources are available on campus, and most are free of charge.
If you are struggling with this class, please check-in during office hours or contact me by email at xxxxxx@msu.edu
Check-in with your academic advisor if you are struggling in multiple classes, unsure whether you are making the most of your time at MSU, or unsure what academic resources are available at MSU.
Access CAPS Services for new counseling and psychological services by scheduling a consultation.
CAPS is providing remote crisis services 24/7/365. Students can call us at 517-355-8270 and press “1” at the prompt to speak with a crisis counselor. Other prompt options are available for those not in crisis.
Visit UHW Counseling and Psychological Services for additional information and resources.
Space saver version
Mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Services are available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus on the Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) website.
Article about syllabus language
Mental Health on the Syllabus From INSIDE HIGHER ED
This informative article talks about encouraging professors to put information about mental health services on their syllabi.
How can I foster healthy interactions in my classroom?
What should I include in my syllabus?
Should I include potentially triggering material in my course?
Further, instructors can proactively support students by teaching coping strategies. Three simple empirically-validated, coping strategies are deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualizing a relaxing place. These coping strategies can help students, faculty, and staff respond to strong feelings.
How might I balance course objectives and student distress? Isn’t college supposed to be hard?
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Any suggestions for interacting with a student in mental health distress?
If a student misses a class or activity that affects others, what should I do?
When I assign group work, how can I support students struggling with attendance related to mental health, while also supporting their classmates?
If a student’s mental health impacts their employment (in labs or shops) on campus, how might instructors/employers address it?
Once I know a student is struggling, should I ask how a student is doing?
What should I do if threatened by a student?
If a student was warned to stay away from an instructor and the student ignores the warning, what should the instructor do?
How do I respond to student survivors?
What should I say when a student shares relationship violence and/or sexual misconduct experiences?
What are my reporting responsibilities?