Students in Distress: Guidelines for Intervention and Referrals

1. Students in Distress: Guidelines for Intervention and Referrals Mary Anne Knapp, MSW, LCSW Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 501 Student Health Center 814-863-0395

2. Students in Distress: Guidelines for Faculty & Staff Interventions • The Importance of Your Role w/ Students • College Student Issues/Distress • The Center for Counseling and Psych Services (CAPS) • Tips for Recognition • Guidelines for Intervention/Referral • Dealing with Specific Situations • Evaluation and Ending

3. Young Adult/College Context • Pressures for Academic Performance • Overwhelming Life Changes • Financial Issues • Limited Social Support Network • Losses/Traumas • Identity Issues • Lifestyle/Body Abuse • Limits of Current Coping Skills/Strategies • Development of Disorders in Adulthood

4. Penn State Counseling Contactsat University Park CAPS • 2500 + students per year for clinical assessment and treatment • Up to 16,000 clinical contacts per year • 5000 outreach contacts with students including programs & postventions following crises/deaths on campus

5. Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Office: 501 Student Health Center Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am.-5pm. Phone: 863-0395

6. Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) • Initial Interview-Appt. and Crisis • Individual Short Term Counseling • Couples Short Term Counseling • Group Therapy- 25 groups/semester • Psychiatric Services (Medication Evals) • Outreach Services-Workshops • Consultation • Referrals

7. CAPS GROUPS • General Interpersonal Therapy Groups • Women’s and Men’s Therapy • Depression Group • Stress Management Group • Anxiety Group • ADHD Support group • Recovery Groups • Discussion/Support Groups

8. RecoveryGroups • Substance Abuse • Eating Disorders • Sexual Assault • Grief and Loss

9. Discussion/Support Groups • LGBT Graduate Therapy Group • Students of Color Support Group • International Student Group • Blended Heritage Discussion Group • Dialogues About Race Groups

10. Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) • Initial Interview- Appts. & Crisis • Individual Short-term Counseling • Group Therapy • Psychiatric Services • Outreach Services-Workshops • Consultation • Referrals - Campus and Private

11. CRISIS RESOURCES • CENTER FOR COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS) Mon- Fri 8 am - 5 pm • CENTRE COUNTY CAN HELP LINE 24 hr. 1-800-643-5432 • 911- For emergency Police/Ambulance • 863-1111 Police Services on Campus • 863-0342 Judicial Affairs

12. TIPS for Recognizing Distressed Students Use your senses to pick up observable cues.

13. Areas of Observation • Difficulty with Academic &/or Social Functioning • Unusual Behaviors and Appearance • References to Stressful Life Events • References to Suicide, Homicide or Death

14. Difficulties with Academic & Social Functioning • Absences • Withdrawal • Excessive anxiety re performance • Disruptive behavior

15. Unusual Behavior or Appearance • Depressed mood or functioning • Hyperactivity or pressured speech • Deterioration in hygiene or self care • Dramatic weight loss or gain • Strange or bizarre behavior/Loss of contact with reality • Problems with boundaries &expectations • Observable Signs of injury

16. References to Stressful Life Events • Experiencing death of a significant other • Experiencing a sexual or physical assault • Experiencing discrimination/alienation • Experiencing legal difficulties • Any problem or situation viewed as a loss

17. References to Suicide, Homicide or Death • Overwhelming hopelessness & helplessness • References to suicide or self harm • References to homicide or assaultive behaviors • Isolation/withdrawal

18. General Intervention Guidelines

19. Basic Helping Skills • Structuring the Contact • Passive Listening and Attending • Active Listening-Reflections and Clarifying Questions • Expressions of Support, Feedback and Validation- “I” messages, Sharing Information • Defining Limits and Making Referrals

20. General Intervention Guidelines • Arrange for a private place and a time when you won’t be interrupted • If you initiate the contact, express concerns in a behavioral and non-judgmental way. • Let the student talk. • Listen for both content and feelings.

21. Intervention (continued) • Give Realistic Hope. Help student know their options and resources and assure them that things can get better. • Avoid a judging, distant or critical style • Maintain clear and consistent boundaries and expectations • Suggest and Normalize referral

22. Intervention (continued) • Be sensitive to timing-Is this a crisis? • Escalate and Facilitate as needed • Prepare the student for what to expect • Arrange a time to follow-up • Consult when in doubt about an intervention

23. Dealing with Specific Situations

24. Suicide • If someone alludes to suicide or you aren’t sure, It’s important to follow-up and ask. “Has this reached a point where you feel so badly you have thought of suicide?” • If suicidal, Refer for Help and Escalate as needed: Voluntary through CAPS or CAN HELP (24 hr crisis) or Involuntary through Judicial Affairs or Police Services.

25. Danger to Others • If someone is making vague threats, it’s important to follow up and ask if they are serious. • Refer and Escalate as needed. • Voluntary intervention through Police intervention depending on the extent and immediacy

26. CRISIS RESOURCES • CENTER FOR COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS) Mon- Fri 8 am - 5 pm • CENTRE COUNTY CAN HELP LINE 24 hr. 1-800-643-5432 • 911- Emer.-Police/Ambulance • Judicial Affairs 863-0342 • 863-1111 Police Services on Campus

27. The End View Students in Distress workshop on the web: http://www.sa.psu.edu/caps/distress/