Concerned about a student?
Here are some helpful tips and guidance for how to express your concern and connect them with resources. Please know you can always consult with a wellness professional on campus if you would like additional support with how to have a difficult or sensitive conversation with a student.
Talk to the student in private and express your concern
This could be after class or during office hours. Try to give the student your undivided attention.
Be honest and direct
In a non-judgmental manner share what you have observed and why you are concerned.
Listen carefully and with sensitivity
Be open-minded. After you have expressed your concern, give the student time to talk. Listen carefully to both the content and emotions of the situation. Respect the student’s value system, even if you do not agree. Avoid giving advice, judging, evaluating and criticizing. Sometimes the reason(s) a student is struggling is not due to being lazy, distracted or partying too much.
Do not promise confidentiality
If the student tells you they are having suicidal thoughts, is thinking of harming self or others, or reports sexual misconduct or relationships violence, you have a responsibility to tell someone (i.e. Public Safety, Student Wellness, Title IX Coordinator, etc.)
Communicate that it takes courage and strength to seek support
Remind the student that asking for help or admitting that you need support is never a sign of weakness.
Make a referral to Student Wellness
Be frank with the student about the limits of your ability to help. Emphasize the importance of professional help and discuss the services provided by Student Wellness. Let the student know that USD Wellness Services are confidential and free for all students. No problem is too big or too small to get help!
Follow up
Let the student know you will check back in with them.
Referrals
Encourage the student to:
- Call Student Wellness at (619) 260-4655 to schedule an initial appointment.
- Walk to any of the Wellness units during business hours; the Counseling Center works diligently to ensure on-going consultation availability.
If you believe a student needs extra support and encouragement, offer to let them call from your office.
It may be helpful to share with the student more information about the process, such as:
- The Counseling Center is staffed by psychologists, interns and a psychiatrist.
- Initial assessments and brief therapy are confidential and free of charge.
- The differences between the different units of the Wellness areas.
An emergency referral is appropriate when students are in imminent danger of hurting themselves or others, or when you believe a student is out of control.
If the emergency occurs during Counseling Center business hours, call 619-260-4655 and ask to speak to the counselor on call. Please make clear that it is an urgent situation. If needed, contact Public Safety 24/7 at (619) 260-2222.
Confidentiality
Once a referral has been made, it is understandable to want to find out what happened and how you can continue to help. However, all Wellness staff are bound by the principles of confidentiality as defined by our disciplines and California Law. Wellness staff cannot share information about a student or confirm whether they have come in for an appointment without the student’s consent.
We can answer general questions about making referrals, offer information about wellness concerns, provide other referral ideas, take information from you regarding specific behaviors of a student and share information with you about a student if they have signed a consent form.
We understand the importance of having open communication with faculty and staff to best help students in need. Rest assured, we regularly seek students’ authorization to contact referral sources, faculty and staff in order to coordinate services.
USD strongly encourages all members of the university community to report information about any incident of Sexual Misconduct or Relationship Violence as soon as possible, whether the incident occurred on or off campus. Reports can be made either to USD or to law enforcement.
How do I know if my student is struggling?
Disruptive Students
A student whose conduct is clearly and immediately reckless, disorderly, dangerous or threatening including self-harmful behavior.
Examples of a disruptive student may include:
- Paranoia or high levels of suspiciousness
- Hostile or ongoing sarcastic remarks
- Open conflict with peers or university staff, instructors or professors
- Dominating classroom discussions
- Frequently interrupting lectures
- Disorganized or erratic communication (written or verbal)
If a student is causing a disruption but does not pose a threat:
- Ensure your safety in the environment
- Set limits by explaining how the behavior is inappropriate
- If behavior continues, ask the student to stop and warn them that official action may be taken
- If you believe there is a safety risk, contact Public Safety
- Immediately report the incident to the Dean of Students or Law Student Affairs. These offices can support in the resolution of problems and connect you with additional campus resources.
Who to Contact:
If you have safety concerns due to a student’s disruptive behavior, contact Public Safety at (619) 260-2222 immediately. Additional resources include:
- Dean of Students
- Department Chairs or College Deans
- Law School Office of Student Affairs
- Office of Ethical Development and Restorative Practices
Distressed Students
A student with a cluster of persistent behaviors who seems unduly anxious, sad, irritable, withdrawn, confused or expresses suicidal thoughts.
You may notice:
- Significant changes in weight
- Bizarre, unexplained and abrupt changes in behavior
- Intoxication (alcohol and/or drug use)
- Excessive risk taking
- Disorientation or forgetfulness
- Expressions of concern by peers
- Decline in attendance or missing class
Student may exhibit:
- Declining quality of work or grades
- Multiple requests for special exceptions
- Bizarre or morbid content in writing
- Anger, hostility, sadness, moodiness
- Incapacitating test anxiety
- Withdrawal from discussion
- Lack of energy and motivation
Student might indicate:
- Threats to harm self or others, explicit or implied
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Thoughts of suicide
If you feel that a student you are working with is exhibiting signs of distress and you are seeking additional tools, please check out our quick reference guide for how to help a student in distress and please contact Student Wellness at (619) 260-4655 so we can help provide you with additional support.