Faculty & Staff

Although college students manage to have fun, college is also a time of vast developmental changes that are not always easily handled. Being a college student involves a transition in life that can engender great pressure and stress. We try to help students understand this transitional period, find ways of coping with crises, and grow from experiences. Lehigh faculty and staff are a primary resource in accomplishing these tasks. In your unique position as a faculty/staff member, you may be the first to recognize when personal difficulties are affecting a student's academic performance or social relations. It is not, of course, the responsibility of any staff/faculty member to deal one-on-one with a student's emotional difficulties.

Perhaps we can help, either through consultation, providing information, or help in facilitating a referral. In emergency situations involving a student unwilling or unable to seek our services you may call UCPS during office hours at 610-758-3880 for support and consultation. We also encourage you to contact Academic Support Services at 610-758-4159 to inform the Dean when a student is in crisis or in an emergency you can call Campus Police at 610-758-4200. After hours, UCPS has an on-call system with a staff member available 24 hours a day. The counselor on call can be reached by calling Campus Police.

FAQ

What do I say when a student confides in me?

The stress of academic, social, family, work, and/or financial concerns are often inter-related and may result in a student turning to you for help. In fact, anyone who is perceived as knowledgeable, caring, and trustworthy may be a potential resource in times of trouble. The most appropriate response to students who disclose their personal concerns to you is to:

• Listen attentively

• Empathize with the feelings being expressed. Try to understand what the student is saying from his/her perspective (which does not mean you have to agree with that perspective).

• Be as genuinely supportive as feels appropriate to you.

• Keep your own limits in mind; for example, don’t get more involved in the student’s life than is comfortable

• Except in cases where you may reasonably suspect that there is a potential for self harm or danger to others, a student has the right to refuse treatment

• When you sense reluctance encourage the use of the Counseling Center, by suggesting that others have found it helpful, it’s free and easy to get an appointment and they may want to at least try going for one session.

Check back with the student to see if they are doing better, especially when they have declined the initial suggestion of treatment. When in doubt, the staff at the Counseling Center are available for consultation, which can be done over the telephone or in person.

How do I recognize if a student is in distress and when might a student benefit from our services?

The reasons that individuals seek help from psychologists are as varied as people themselves. An individual's motives for seeking counseling might range from wishing to solve a particular problem to desiring to enhance his/her own personal development. In any case, the following indicators might be useful in making a decision about referring a student to the Counseling Center. To prevent possible over-interpretation of a single or an isolated behavior, it is probably advisable to look for clusters of signs which appear at approximately the same time. Here are some possible signs that a student is in distress:

• Appears depressed, withdrawn, and little motivation for academic pursuits

• References to suicide

• Is not attending class, failing exams, or failing to hand in assignments

• Frequently falls asleep in class

• Comes to class smelling of alcohol

• Appears to be inebriated or high in class

• Frequently appears to be agitated, distracted, or distant

• Loses interest in her or his personal appearance

• Exhibits odd, peculiar, or bizarre behavior

• Has experienced some recent or past trauma (i. e.- sexual assault, death of friend/family member) that is interfering with his/her ability to function in an academic or social environment

• Seems highly anxious or "stressed out"

• Has interpersonal difficulties/relationship problems

Aside from the signs or symptoms that may suggest the need for counseling, there are other guidelines which may help a faculty or staff member define the limits of his or her involvement with a particular student's problem. A referral is usually indicated in the following situations:

• A student presents a problem or requests information which is outside your range of knowledge

• You feel that personality differences which cannot be resolved between you and the student will interfere with your helping the student

• The problem is personal, and you know the student on other than a professional basis (friend, neighbor, relative, etc.)

• A student is reluctant to discuss a problem with you for some reason

• You do not believe your contact with the student has been effective.

What about confidentiality?

Because communication between a therapist and a client is confidential, we cannot discuss a client's situation, or reveal that counseling is being received, without the client's written consent. These limits of confidentiality do not apply in situations where a student poses an imminent risk to him-or-herself or others. If you wish follow-up information on someone you have referred, please ask that individual to provide us with permission to speak with you. If you do not hear from us, it is likely that permission has been denied. It does provide family members, faculty, and staff the opportunity to provide counseling staff with useful information that may benefit the treatment of a student. Even if we do not have a signed release form we welcome you to still share information or direct questions to our professional staff, as we are able to listen to your concerns and may be able to provide some guidance in how you might proceed in helping the student.

Is there an association between mental illness and violence?

The American Psychiatric Association "Fact Sheet on Violence and Mental Illness" contains the following observation:

People often fear what they do not understand, and for many of us, mental illnesses fall into that category. This fear . . .[often] stems from the common misconception that the term ‘mental illness' is a diagnosis, and that all mental illnesses thus have similar symptoms, making all people who suffer with them equally suspect and dangerous.... Recent research has shown that the vast majority of people who are violent do not suffer from mental illnesses. However, there is a certain small subgroup of people with severe and persistent mental illnesses who are at risk of becoming violent.

The U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services document "Understanding Mental Illness: Fact Sheet" (April 20, 2007) contains the observation that "compared with the risk associated with the combination of male gender, young age, and lower socioeconomic status, the risk of violence presented by mental disorder is modest." Such a "modest" correlation won't be sufficient to draw conclusions about the future behavior of any particular student.

Referral

How to refer a student to UCPS

When you have determined that a student might benefit from counseling services, it is usually best to speak directly to the student in a straightforward fashion that will show your concern for his or her welfare. It is not advisable to attempt to deceive or trick the student into seeking counseling. Make it clear that this recommendation represents your best judgment based on your observations of the student's behavior. Be specific regarding the behaviors that have raised your concerns, and avoid making generalizations about the individual. Be aware that some students may reject your efforts, may deny any troubles, and/or may feel intruded upon. Generally speaking, most students will feel appreciative of your interest and concern and your contact with them might be an important step toward their dealing with their problems. If you have questions or concerns about approaching a particular student, feel free to call UCPS for help.

If the student reacts as though you are implying he/she is “sick” or “disturbed,” you might reassure him or her that many students who are having situational or temporary difficulties, academic problems, or career-related difficulties, use the Counseling Center. You might also remind the individual that Center services are free of charge and completely confidential.

Except in emergencies, the option must be left open for the student to accept or refuse counseling. If the student is skeptical or reluctant for whatever reason, simply express your acceptance of those feelings so that your own relationship with the student is not jeopardized. Give the student an opportunity to consider other alternatives by suggesting that he or she might need some time to think it over. If the student emphatically says "no," then respect that decision, and again leave the situation open for possible reconsideration at a later time.

If the student agrees to the referral, the student may call or go to UCPS located on the 4th floor of Johnson Hall to make an appointment. The student's first contact with the Center will typically be an intake interview in which the student and the counselor make decisions about the type of help needed. We schedule students as soon as possible, but if the student is not in an emergency, intake appointments may be scheduled within a week of the student's request to be seen at UCPS. Students requiring immediate help because of psychological difficulties are seen the same day on an emergency basis. Finally, you should follow up with the student at a later date to show your continued interest even if he or she did not accept your attempted referral.

In emergency situations involving students who are reluctant or rejects the referral, consider calling the Dean of Students at Academic Support Services. Someone from that office may call the student in to assess the student's need for help.

Emergency Situations When You Should Get Help Immediately

• Expression of suicidal thoughts

• Expression of homicidal thoughts

• Severe loss of emotional control

• Gross impairment of thinking ability

• Loss of connection with reality

Consultation

Phone calls and face to face consultation services are a regular part of our responsibility to the college community. We guide and inform concerned individuals regarding concerns about students. For example, a faculty member whose student writes about depression and suicide in a paper may call UCPS to discuss what was written in the paper and observations about the student. As a result of this consultation, our staff can make recommendations as to how to speak with the student, and how to refer to the Counseling Center. In most situations, UCPS staff act as a consultant to the person calling, helping that person to respond more effectively to the student of concern.

We are also available for in-service workshops, presentations and provide programming on a variety of topics to staff/faculty groups. If you are ever unsure about whether to refer, call us. Our staff are always willing to discuss your concerns and possible courses of action.