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Identifying and Responding to Students in Distress

Identifying and Responding to Students in Distress. Alicia A Bourque, Ph.D. Director, Counseling & Health Services. Agenda. Quick facts about College Mental Health UCC services and trends Counseling indications Disturbing and threatening behavior Confidentiality Q & A.

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Identifying and Responding to Students in Distress

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  1. Identifying and Responding to Students in Distress Alicia A Bourque, Ph.D. Director, Counseling & Health Services

  2. Agenda • Quick facts about College Mental Health • UCC services and trends • Counseling indications • Disturbing and threatening behavior • Confidentiality • Q & A

  3. Quick Facts about National Trends in College Students and Mental Health • Nearly half of college students report feeling so depressed that they have trouble functioning. • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students. • More students are coming to college with mental health diagnoses. Increased support services provided at a younger age so that academic record is not adversely affected.

  4. UCC Services • Individual, couples, and group counseling • Substance abuse screenings • ADHD evaluations and counseling • Limited psychiatric medication management appointments • 24/7/365 after hours crisis counseling • Accessed via LUPD at 504.865.3434 • Outreach programming/Res hall adoption

  5. UCC Trends • 20% of Loyola’s student population in any given year • Average 3500 appointments per year • Anxiety Disorders • Mood Disorders (e.g., Depression, Bipolar) • ADHD • Partner Relational • Crises • Grief

  6. UCC Response to Increased Demand • Daily crisis walk-in hour • Suicidal/Homicidal • Recent loss • Recent trauma • Waitlist • Community-based referrals • Increased group offerings • Emotional Wisdom • Sexual Assault Survivors

  7. Indications for Counseling Changes in Mood or Behavior • Anxiety and Depression • References to Suicide • Violence and Aggression • Traumatic Changes in Personal Relationships • Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse • Academic Problems • Excessive Absences • Poor Hygiene • Crying in class • Repeated requests for special accommodations

  8. Identifying and Responding to Disturbing and Disruptive Behavior • Can be useful to distinguish between student behavior that is disturbing versus disruptive • Behavior can be both disturbing and disruptive • Threatening behavior

  9. Identifying Disturbing Behavior • A student who jokes in class about killing himself, • A student who perspires profusely when giving a talk in front of class, • A student who discloses that her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, • A student who seems to work harder than most students but can’t pass an exam, • A student who appears to be losing significant weight yet speaks with pride about how little he/she eats, • A student whose writing appears disjointed and fragmented, as though he/she cannot maintain a logical sequence in his/her thought process, • A student who reports that FBI agents are following him/her around campus.

  10. Interventions for Disturbing Behavior • Initiate a conversation with the student about the behavior that concerns you • Listen to the student • Consult with other professionals on campus • Refer to the Care & Concern Committee • Robert Reed, 504.865.3737, rareed@loyno.edu • Refer to other professionals on campus • Students with suicide risk factors should be referred for professional help

  11. How to Refer • Get to know the referral sources • Use a direct approach with the student and express your concern for his or her welfare • Anticipate some concerns about seeking counseling • Create a positive expectation • To make an appointment, student can call 504.865.3835 or stop by our office in the Danna Center, second floor, room 208 • Leave the option open, except in emergencies, for the student to accept or refuse counseling • Ask the student at a later date what action he/she has taken

  12. Threatening Behavior • A student who implies or makes a direct threat to harm themselves or others. • A student who displays a firearm or weapon. • A student who physically confronts/attacks another student. • A student who stalks or harasses a faculty member. • A student who sends threatening emails, letters, and other correspondence to a staff member.

  13. Interventions for Threatening Behavior • Immediately call LUPD at 504.865.3434. • Contact Counseling Director for notification, advice and support at 504.865.3835. • Consult with the UCC to debrief and assist you, staff members and other students. • UCC staff is trained in confidentiality, if you have a concern about sharing information with a counselor, please express it and the counselor can help set the limit.

  14. Quick Facts about the UCC • Staffed by four FT professionals and one PT psychiatrist • No additional charge to students • All counseling services are confidential • Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. • No session limits • Emergency after-hours crisis services are available on-call through LUPD at 504.865.3434, 24/7/365

  15. Confidentiality • Professional ethics, state and federal law • Faculty members often have an understandable desire to know if a student who has been referred has actually attended and made any progress

  16. Contact Information Q & A Alicia A. Bourque, Ph.D. Director, Counseling & Health Services 504.865.3835 aabourqu@loyno.edu

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