Resources for Faculty & Staff: Making Referrals
1. How might I know when a student is in distress?
2. How do I know when to refer?
3. Should I walk the student over?
4. How do I bring it up to the student?
5. Can I just consult with you first?
6. What if the student refuses help?
7. What alternative counseling sources are available to UT students?
8. How do I know if the person I referred received counseling?
1. How might I know when a student is in distress?
Some signs of student distress are: social withdrawal, lack of energy, falling asleep in class, inability to concentrate, marked changes in personal hygiene, impaired speech, garbled and disjointed thoughts, threats to harm self or others, and marked irritability. Faculty members may observe other behaviors that indicate distress such as frequently missing class, a drop in the quality of academic work, crying in class or the office, or disturbing material in submitted assignments.
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2. How do I know when to refer?
Referring others for counseling is an important and sometimes difficult task. Every year many students, faculty and staff call or come to the Student Counseling Center expressing concern about someone - a friend, relative, roommate, or student. Student problems may include stress overload, depression, anxiety, family or relationship issues, physical or sexual abuse, academic difficulties, substance abuse, eating issues, and identity concerns.
Here are some situations in which a referral is appropriate:
• The problem is more serious than you feel comfortable or capable of dealing with
• You are extremely busy or are experiencing stress in your own life and are unable or unwilling to handle the student's needs
• You have talked to the student and helped as much as you can but further assistance is needed
• You think that your personal feelings about the student would interfere with your ability to be helpful
• The student admits there is a problem but does not want to talk to you about it
• The student asks for information or assistance which you are unable to provide
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3. Should I walk the student over?
Sometimes offering to accompany a student over to the Center will greatly reduce the student’s anxiety about coming to see us. If you do agree to accompany the student, ask the student if he or she would like you to remain in the waiting room until they are seen by the intake counselor or if they would prefer that you leave.
If the student does not want you to walk them over or if you decide this is not an option for you, it is often helpful to provide the student with a brief description of our walk-in/intake procedure and/or offer to call ahead and let the Center know the student is coming.
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4. How do I bring it up to the student?
Acknowledge and discuss the student's fears and concerns about seeking help. Remind the student that counseling sessions are strictly confidential and that counseling at the Counseling Center is free. Point out that a situation does not have to reach crisis proportions for him/her to benefit from professional help. A medical analogy may be useful. Emphasize that, although some people believe that seeking counseling is an admission of weakness and failure, in fact it often takes considerable courage to face oneself and acknowledge one's limitations. Offer to accompany the student to the Counseling Center. It can also be helpful to mention to the student that a walk-in session is not a committment to therapy. Some students decide that there needs were met in the initial walk-in session, and some students decide that they are not ready to begin counseling at that time.
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5. Can I just consult with you first?
Yes. If you have a concern about a student, feel free to call the Center and ask to consult with one of our staff members.
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6. What if the student refuses help?
While it is important to care about the emotional well-being of students, we cannot make their decisions for them. If the student resists referral and you remain uncomfortable with the situation, contact the Counseling Center (974-2196) to discuss your concern.
If you think that the student is an immediate danger to self or others, call the UT Police (911).
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7. What alternative counseling sources are available to UT students?
See Campus Resources or Community Resources for lists of alternate counseling sources.
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8. How do I know if the person I referred received counseling?
Ask that person. Because counseling is confidential, we cannot inform you if the person of concern came to the Counseling Center or reveal what they talked about. Therefore, the best way to find out if the person came to the Center is to follow-up with this individual yourself.
If you feel that it is vital for you to learn whether this student came to the Center from the counselor, ask the student to sign a release of information form when they are here, giving us permission to confirm with you that they came.
Click here or more information on Referring a Distressed Student.
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