{"194631":{"#nid":"194631","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Recognizing and Assisting Students in Distress","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDear Colleagues:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose of us who work in the Division of Student Affairs may witness or experience the emotional and behavioral consequences of distressed students.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the past few years, the Counseling Center has seen an increasing trend of students in crisis. To help address this need for formal crisis intervention, the Counseling Center recently received funding for a new psychologist position that will coordinate crisis response and suicide education and prevention. This is in addition to the 3 full-time positions (1 psychologist position, 1 predoctoral intern position, and 1 postdoctoral position for LD\/ADHD) that have been added in the last 7 years to help address the increase in the number of new students who are seeking help. \u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile it is best to let trained professionals handle crisis situations, we all can play a very important role in helping a student regain the emotional balance needed to cope and get back on track. The following article was developed by Tiffiny M. Hughes-Troutman, Ph.D. psychologist and coordinator of outreach, consultation, and professional development for the Counseling Center, to help us better understand how to recognize and help a student in distress. I urge you to read the following information and consider how you can help a student (or colleague, friend, family member, etc.) in need of professional help.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EWhy Students Encounter Stress\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents encounter stress for a variety of reasons. Academic demands, family obligations, social expectations, and financial concerns are just some sources of stress. While many students successfully cope with the realities of college life, others become overwhelmed and struggle to manage (McGrath, 2006). \u0026nbsp;Students can experience a crisis if stress exceeds their coping resources. Although some crises may escalate and result in an emotional or behavioral response, other crises can present students with opportunities for significant personal growth if adequate help is provided (Kadison \u0026amp; DiGeronimo, 2005).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHow to Recognize Signs of Distress\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStress is a normal part of every student\u2019s life; however, there may be cause for concern if you notice the following:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBehavioral Changes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAny overt expression of thought or intent to harm self or others, including pets\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDeterioration of physical appearance or personal hygiene\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChange in demeanor, or student\u2019s mood appears sad, irritable, intense, anxious or tearful\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDramatic weight gain or loss\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnruly behavior\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPhysically harming self\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAcademic Problems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDisruptive classroom behavior\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExcessive procrastination\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERepeated requests for special considerations or extensions\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExcessive absences or tardiness\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMissed assignments or appointments\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDisorganized or erratic performance that is uncharacteristic of the student\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEssays, art or other written work that contains themes of hopelessness, social isolation, rage, despair, suicide, or homicide\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInterpersonal Problems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDisruptive social behavior\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInability to get along with others\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDependency on a faculty or staff member\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EComplaints from other students\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAsking a faculty or staff member for help with personal problems\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHelping a Distressed Student\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you are concerned about a student or if a student reaches out to you for help, here are some suggestions:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETalk to the student privately when you\u2019re not rushed or preoccupied\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EListen to the student and respond to both the student\u2019s thoughts and feelings\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMaintain clear boundaries and avoid making promises to keep the shared information confidential\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAvoid judging, evaluating, and criticizing the student\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERespect diversity and the student\u2019s values\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExpress concern for the student and help the student identify options for action\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EContact the Counseling Center or Campus Police immediately if the student appears to be in imminent danger of self-harm or harm to others\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERefer the student to the Counseling Center for help\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMaking a Referral\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEmergency referrals (when students are in danger of hurting themselves or others)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EContact the Counselor On Call at any time (24\/7) by calling 404-894-2575 or walk the student to the Counseling Center if the crisis occurs within business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. \u2013 5:00 p.m.)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProvide the therapist with a description of the situation that has led to your concern\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe therapist will advise you of appropriate actions to take\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf the emergency occurs outside of Counseling Center business hours, call 404-894-2575 and follow the prompts to reach the therapist staffing the crisis consultation line\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENon-Emergency referrals\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEncourage the student to contact the Counseling Center directly to schedule an initial appointment\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOffer the student an opportunity to call from your office if you believe they may need support and encouragement\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EShare with the student that Counseling Center services are free and confidential\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDear Colleagues:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose of us who work in the Division of Student Affairs may witness or experience the emotional and behavioral consequences of distressed students. Over the past few years, the Counseling Center has seen an increasing trend of students in crisis. While it is best to let trained professionals handle crisis situations, we all can play a very important role in helping a student regain the emotional balance needed to cope and get back on track.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":"","uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2013-02-22 15:40:13","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:13:40","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2013-02-22T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2013-02-22T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"150881":{"id":"150881","type":"image","title":"Bill Schafer","body":null,"created":"1449178777","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 21:39:37","changed":"1475894784","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:46:24","alt":"Bill Schafer","file":{"fid":"195183","name":"09e2017-p1-002_v2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/09e2017-p1-002_v2_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/09e2017-p1-002_v2_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":726445,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/09e2017-p1-002_v2_0.jpg?itok=zcYGkttu"}}},"media_ids":["150881"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.counseling.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Counseling Center,"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OAGxo15EcCM","title":"Stressed or Distressed? A Video Resource for Georgia Tech Faculty Regarding Student Stress"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.counseling.gatech.edu\/pdf\/Helping%20a%20Distressed%20Student.pdf","title":"Tips for Helping a Distressed Student"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.police.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Police Department"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.deanofstudents.gatech.edu\/plugins\/referral\/","title":"Dean of Students Referral Form"}],"groups":[{"id":"1269","name":"Student Life"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETiffiny M. Hughes-Troutman, Ph.D.\u003Cbr \/\u003EPsychologist and Coordinator of Outreach, Consultation, and Professional Development\u003Cbr \/\u003ECounseling Center\u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:tiffiny.hughes-troutman@vpss.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Etiffiny.hughes-troutman@vpss.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["studentaffairs@vpss.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}