Frustration Confusion Anxiety: Advising Students with Emotional Problems

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Frustration? Confusion? Anxiety?Advising
Students with Emotional Problems
Concurrent Session 33
Norman Roberts, Ph.D. Julie Preece, Ph. D.
Phillip Rash, Ph.D. David Shwalb Mark Beecher,
Ph.D. Edward Martinelli, Ph.D. Brigham Young
University
NACADA 30th National Conference Indianapolis,
Indiana October 19, 2006
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Session Overview

• Emotional Problems on Campus
• Video Scenarios and Discussion
• Further Recommendations and Participant Comments

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NIMH
In a given year, adults 18 years of age or older

• 22 have a diagnosable mental disorder
• 13 anxiety disorder
• 10 depressive disorder
• 5 major depressive disorder

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During the last year, how many times have you
Journal of American College Health, Vol. 53, No.
5 (March/April 2005)
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Depression in College Students

• Percent of clients presenting with depression
  doubled from 1988-2001
• 1 in 3 students has prolonged bouts of depression
• 1 in 4 has felt suicidal
• 1 in 7 has not been able to function because of
  depression
• (DCHE April 2005 Vol 10 Iss 9)

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Comfort Level when Working with Students with
Disabilities (1not comfortable, 4very
comfortable)
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Video Scenario 1
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Advising Students with Emotional Concerns

• Be aware of your own attitudes
• Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms
• Use a technique such as BATHE
• Background
• Affect
• Troubling
• Handling
• Empathy

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Special ConsiderationsAdvising Students with
Emotional Concerns

• Have a list of resources (know professionals by
  name)
• Network with staff at your counseling center and
  disability services
• Have a list of after-hours resources

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Video Scenario 2
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Advising the Angry Student

• Be aware of your feelings.
• Dont retaliate by being angry or defensive.
• Recognize a students anger may often be due to
  other issues.
• Inform a threatening student that his/her
  behavior is not appropriate.

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Proactive Considerations Disruptive or
Threatening Behavior

• Develop a working relationship with
  counselors/security personnel on your campus.
• Invite a colleague to meet with both you and a
  disruptive student.
• Inform your supervisors, dean of students, and
  general counsel if appropriate.

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Proactive Considerations Disruptive or
Threatening Behavior

• Know due process procedures at your school.
• Know your law and your school policy.
• Have an emergency plan.
• Students should not be dismissed due to hearsay
  alone.

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Final Comments?
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Disruptive or Threatening Behaviors
Just because someone has a documented disability
doesn't give him/her permission to make threats
or send inappropriate e-mails. In fact, if their
behavior is unacceptable (i.e., violates the
conduct code), that can go to judicial affairs.
Then if the behavior does not change you can say,
You are not welcome here. (Evaluation
becoming a part, 2003 Matusow-Ayres,
Meza-Soufleries).