Identifying and Referring Students in Distress

Dr. Laura Ebady, CMHCChrista López, SES/BCAL

Overview Warning signs Response strategies Campus resources

Warning Signs Commits or threatens violence against

self or others Out of touch with reality Extreme emotional reaction Noticeable change in appearance Decline in performance Decline in social involvement

Responding to Distress Provide opportunity to express concerns Initiate problem-solving Help the person take action

Making a Referral Be direct Provide information Encourage and suggest, don’t insist

Setting Limits Stay within your comfort zone Maintain boundaries Seek support

Situations Requiring Immediate Action Immediately report threatening behavior

or violence to UTPD. Focus on severity, not intent. Trust your instincts - err on the side of

caution.

Counseling Center Services Walk-in appointments Individual & couples counseling Group counseling Medication evaluations Telephone counseling 24/7 MindBody lab

SES/BCAL Advise of options and resources Help develop a plan of action BCAL is available 24/7/365; 512-232-

5050 http://www.utexas.edu/safety/bcal/ SES can be reach at 512-471-5017 or

studentemergency@austin.utexas.edu

UTPD 911 Can perform welfare checks for on-

campus Crime prevention 512-471-4441

Case scenario 1 Abby is a sophomore in your college Abby arrives in your office 10 minutes prior

to her appointment; the front desk alerts you of her arrival and that she is crying in the lobby

Abby enters your office and begins sobbing She has bruises on her face and arms She is visibly shaken What are your thoughts?

Case scenario 2 You hear loud commotion at the front desk

area You step out of your office to investigate

and see that there are some papers thrown on the floor

The front desk staff state and irate student just left after yelling at the staff, punching the door then took off down the hall

What do you do?

Case scenario 3 A faculty member shares with you that

they have not seen Joe in class for 4 weeks, you learn that another faculty member has had the same concern

You send Joe a SAN with no response What do you do?

Case scenario 4 Students and staff report they have

seen someone sitting on top of the roof’s edge of the UA9 building (between Kinsolving Hall and the SSB)

The person looks to be a student’s age and is not dressed in a UT uniform/not a Physical Plant staff member

Who do you call?

Final Considerations No single “right” way to respond Need for consultation &/or support Consider scope of your role in advance Avoid making promises you can’t keep