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 [phone]

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
• Womens and Mens Therapy
• Depression Group
• Stress Management Group
• Anxiety Group
• ADHD Support group
• Recovery Groups
• Discussion/Support Groups

8
Recovery Groups

• 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
  wont 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 arent sure,
  Its 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, its
  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/