Counselling & Personal Development Service - A guide for staff

A Guide for Staff

When to Refer

When personal issues arise in the course of a student's Academic life, there are some indicators which suggest the time to refer to The Counselling and Personal Development Service.

• When a significant amount of time is been given to addressing the personal issue.
• When you are unsure of what to do or how to respond.
• When you feel out of your depth.
• When the situation is depleting you of your own emotional resources.
• When you are worried about the student's safety.
• When you are covering the same ground with the student again and again.
• When no change is evident.
• When your suggestions are constantly rejected.
• If you feel the student is becoming too dependent on you.

Common Signs of Student Distress

Academic Indicators of Student Distress

• Significant changes in academic performance
• Sporadic class attendance or absences
• Frequently missing deadlines
• Poor concentration
• Loss of motivation
• Procrastination 
• Over working, perfectionism, excessive anxiety about academic work

Physical Signs of Distress

• Signiciant weight gain or loss
• Marked changes in personal hygiene or dress
• Signs of exhaustion, falling asleep in class
• Smelling of alcohol, cannabis

Behavioural Indicators of Distress

• Social isolation or withdrawal
• Excessive dependence on staff
• Unusual or bizarre behaviour, unexplained crying, laughing, rapid speech, disorganised thinking, suspiciousness, paranoia
• Incoherent and/or incessant talking
• Uncharacteristic behaviour; unusually cheerful, agressive, withdrawn, irritable, loud, disinhibited 
• Disturbing or disruptive behaviour

Emotional Indicators of Distress

• A marked change in mood
• Absence of response to normally upsetting events
• Expressing feelings of worthlessness
• Appearing tearful, sad, agitated

Distressing Life Events

• Recent break-up of a close relationship
• Death or illness of a loved one or significant other
• A major disappointment, e.g. exam failure
• Serious interpersonal conflict
• A trauma: assault, sexual, emotional, physical and/or other abuse
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Sexual orientation crisis
• Legal or disciplinary event
• Accident illness or material disaster

Other Indicators of Distress

• Something about the student makes you feel uneasy or concerned
• Students, staff or relatives telling you there is a difficulty
• A history of mental health difficulties
• Evidence of self-harming behaviour or of suicidal ideation or plans.

Additional Information

• Guide for Staff
• Actions Advised in Helping a Student in a Psychological and/or Medical Crisis
• How to Refer (PDF)
• Identifying and Responding to Students in Distress (pdf)
• First–aid suicide intervention guidelines (PDF)
• Well being first aid support for students at the scene of a critical incident.
• Suicide Awareness-Prevention Guidelines