Recognizing mental health concerns
This time of year can be stressful for many students, faculty, and staff, due to exams, the end of the semester, and the upcoming summer break. Please look out for any individuals who seem to be having difficulty coping and may benefit from meeting with a counselor for a few sessions. Following are some signs that an individual needs help, as well as some suggestions for how to refer them for services.
College years are characterized by multiple transitions. Stress is a normal and expected reaction to these transitions. Students may experience stress associated with academic demands, family problems, social relations, work, financial concerns, and cultural experiences. Resources that students had while living at home are altered, and students may find themselves isolated, lonely, and frustrated.
Although most students cope appropriately with the emerging demands of college life, for some the pressures become overwhelming and unmanageable. The inability to cope effectively with emotional distress can lead to disruptions in a student?s overall functioning and pose a serious threat to academic success. As a member of Murray State?s faculty or staff, you are in a unique position to show concern and care. Proactive, timely, and at times reactive expressions of concern can be helpful in regulating and maintaining a student?s emotional equilibrium, which can lead to a successful college career.
The purpose of this guide is to provide you with information that will assist you in identifying students in distress and specific options for intervention and for referral to campus resources.
Tips for Recognizing a Serious Mental Health Crisis (Emergency Situation)
A crisis is a situation where a student?s usual coping style becomes overwhelmed and the emotional and physiological responses escalate. With increasing emotions, coping becomes less effective until the person may become disoriented, non-functional, or attempt harm. If a student is in a serious mental health crisis, one might see the following:
Highly disruptive behavior (physical/verbal aggression)
Overt suicidal threats (written or verbal)
Homicidal threats (written or verbal, attempted suicide or assault)
Inability to communicate clearly (incoherent, garbled, slurred speech)
Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things that are not there)
What to Do When You Suspect a Mental Health Crisis
For consultation in assessing the situation, call the Counseling Center at 809-6851 during our open hours (Monday-Friday 8-4:30). If the student is willing, offer to walk them to the Counseling Center (C104 Oakley Applied Science Building). Students in crisis will be seen immediately by the on-call counselor.
If immediate assistance is needed, call Public Safety at 2222. If the emergency is after hours or on a weekend or holiday, contact Public Safety at 2222, and they will determine whether to transport the individual to the 24-hour crisis center or contact the on-call counselor.
While Waiting for Aid to Arrive:
DO provide a safe, secure, quiet place DON?T leave the student alone
DO ask them to stay until help arrives DON?T try to restrain him or her from leaving
DO listen actively and show empathy DON?T challenge or confront the student
DO maintain a supportive attitude DON?T minimize the student?s distress
Tips for Recognizing Distressed Students (Not in Crisis/Emergency)
Everyone experiences symptoms of distress at one time or another. However, if symptoms persist over time and/or increase in severity, this may indicate a need for assistance.
Marked Changes in Attitude towards Academic Performance:
Poor preparation for class
Drop in performance
Expressions of non-caring about classes
Excessive absences or tardiness to class
Excessive anxiety about class work
Strong reactions to class material
Exaggerated emotional responses that are obviously inappropriate to the situation
Exaggerated need to oppose the teaching or discussions
Inability to communicate clearly
Perfectionism and excessive worry
Changes in Behavior:
Depressed or lethargic mood
Avoiding participation in class activities
Changed pattern of interaction with others
Apathy or ?in a daze?
Oversleeping or not sleeping enough
Disruptive behavior
Consistently avoiding eating with others
Marked increase or decrease in energy level
Marked increase in irritability
Low tolerance for frustration
Unusual Appearance:
Changes in personal hygiene
Dramatic changes in hair style or clothing style
Dramatic weight loss or gain
Swollen or red eyes
What Can You Do? (Not in Crisis/Emergency)
If you choose to approach a student, or if a student comes to you for help with personal problems, the following suggestions are recommended:
TALK with the student in private. You may need to schedule a time to talk so that neither of you are rushed or preoccupied. Express your concern by referring to the student?s behavior in non-judgmental terms. Ask open-ended questions. Express empathy. Avoid asking ?why? questions.
LISTEN actively and give the student your undivided attention. Communicate understanding by your verbal response, facial expression, and body posture. Reflect feelings back to them to make sure you understand what they are telling you.
INSTILL hope. Most situations have options. Assist the student by moving away from focusing exclusively on the problem. Suggest resources and support the student?s desire to move beyond the problem toward a solution.
AVOID judgmental statements, evaluations, or criticism. Avoid comparisons that place the student at a disadvantage. Respect the student?s value system even if it is different from your own.
MAINTAIN clear professional boundaries. The focus of the contact is on the student. Avoid unnecessary self-disclosures. Clarify rules and enforce them in the same manner as you would with any other student.
REFER to appropriate resources. Encourage them to believe that accessing services and following through is a sign of strength and courage rather than a sign of weakness or failure. Support a student?s timetable for accessing services. If needed, assist with setting up an appointment and/or going to the appointment with them.
FOLLOW-UP with the student to see if they followed through with the referral. Allow the student to express reactions to the appointment.
CONSULT the Counseling Center if you need guidance with the intervention.
How to Get Started at the Counseling Center
The Counseling Center is open 8-4:30, Monday through Friday. An on-call counselor is available to meet with new clients or clients in crisis 9-4 Monday through Friday. Students are asked to complete the initial paperwork, which takes 20-30 minutes. If they wish, they can also have a brief counseling session at that time. Students in crisis may request to speak with a counselor prior to completing the paperwork. The student will be assigned to a counselor, usually within a week of completing paperwork, and the counselor will call to schedule the first appointment.
For a full description of our services, please visit our website: murraystate.edu/CounselingCenter
Visit the Counseling Center Village for virtual pamphlets on mental health issues:
http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/ccv.html
MSU On-Campus Resources
Counseling Center 809-6851
Psychological Center 809-2504
Public Safety 809-2222
Women?s Center 809-3140
Health Services 809-3809
Student Disability Services 809-5737
Student Affairs 809-6831
International Student Services 809-3089
LGBT Alliance 809-5040
Off-Campus Resources
Four Rivers Behavioral Health 270-753-0452
Purchase Area Sexual Assault Center 800-928-7273
Calloway County Health Department 270-753-3381
Campus Ministries (Ryan Boatright, Pres) 270-759-8623
Merryman House Domestic Violence Center 270-759-2373
Murray Psychiatric Associates 270-761-0043
Emergency Numbers
Ambulance 911
MSU Public Safety 270-809-2222
Murray Police Department 270-753-1621
Murray Calloway County Hospital 270-762-1100
National Suicide Hotline 800-273-TALK (8255)
24-Hour Regional Crisis Line 800-592-3980
Source: http://www.roundaboutmurray.com/?p=4034
ubaldo jimenez ncaa final country music awards autism awareness angelman syndrome total recall troy tulowitzki
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন