Managing Stress and Assisting Others
for Academic Advisors
Presented byUniversity Counseling
ServicesVirginia Commonwealth
Universityhttp://www.students.vcu.edu/counseling/
Lyndon J. Aguiar, Ph.D.
Challenges Facing Students
What are challenges? How do you see your role? What do you think are the top mental
health concerns at VCU?
Top Concerns at UCS
Anxiety Relational Depression Substance use Adjustment Eating and body image Attention and learning
Research
Levels of stress in medical students is higher than that seen in the general population
Sources of stress are not always evident
o “Feeling useless” was most commonly endorsed source of stress in one study
Identifying stress Students may not specifically say “I
am stressed” Symptoms include:
Falling behind on course work Insomnia/hypersomnolence Feeling of tension in shoulders, arms, or
face Irritability Difficulty concentrating Withdrawal
Emotions
CRYING student – “not always an accurate barometer of the degree of someone’s distress”
ANGRY student – remain calm, explain your role, avoid personalizing the anger
If you believe the student is in danger of harming self or others, contact your dean, UCS (804) 828-6200, as well as VCU Police (804) 828-1234
Myths and Realitiesabout Mental Health
• Myth - Confronting a person about suicide will only make them angry and increase the risk of suicide.
• Fact - Asking someone directly about suicidal or homicidal intent lowers anxiety, opens up communication and lowers the risk of an impulsive act.
• Myth - Only experts can prevent suicide.• Fact - Suicide prevention is everybody’s
business, and anyone can help prevent the tragedy of suicide.
Myths and Realitiesabout Mental Health (continued)
• Myth - Suicidal people keep their plans to themselves.
• Fact - Most suicidal people communicate their intent sometime during the week preceding their attempt.
• Myth - Those who talk about suicide don’t do it.• Fact - People who talk about suicide may try, or
even complete, an act of self-destruction.
Adapted from QPR Training
How to Help a Student?
When a student approaches you: Express concern and ask questions Show empathy Listen intently to direct and indirect verbal
cues, and be aware of non-verbals Consider multicultural factors Focus on observations Avoid taking the role of surrogate
counselor Ask student about his/her experience with
counseling and provide the student with information
How to Help a Student?
When a student does NOT approach you:
Approach the student after taking into consideration safety factors
Consider timing and location Be direct, but not punitive Express concern, ask questions,
allow the student to speak freely, listen intently
How to Refer Students to UCS?
Explain limitations of your role Emphasize confidentiality and impartiality
of counseling Provide information about location of UCS
and how to make an appointment – walk student over if necessary
Mention how other students may have benefited from counseling
Follow-up with student
Reducing Stress
Deep breathing
Body scan
Progressive muscle relation
Guided imagery
Mindfulness training
Conclusion
Stress is a genuine concern when working with VCU students, especially when transitioning to a new environment
There are ways to recognize excessive stress and suicidality in students
Many techniques can be helpful in reducing stress
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