COUNSELING CENTER SERVICES
Individual Counseling Adjustment to College Friendship/Dating Difficulties Depression Sexual Assault/Rape Stress/Anxiety Sexuality/Sexual Identity Self-Esteem/Self-Confidence Family Conflicts Childhood Abuse Personal Growth Alcohol/Drug Use Grief/Loss Eating Disorders Anger Management Thoughts of Harming Self/Other Self-Harm/Cutting Academic Performance Roommate Conflicts
Crisis Intervention
Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
WHAT DO COUNSELING CENTER DIRECTORS TELL US?
Reported from the National Survey of Counseling Center Directors (Gallagher, 2008, U. of Pittsburgh).
N = 284 Directors from public and private universities across the country.
DIRECTORS SAY…
92% of clients are already on psychiatric medications
49% of clients have serious psychological difficulties.
95% of Directors report an increase in clients with severe psychological problems.
Up from 86% in 2004
WHAT DO COLLEGE STUDENTS TELL US?
American College Health Association, National College Health Assessment. Fall, 2008
Random sampling survey - Broad representation of different sized student populations.
Public and private US colleges and universities.
Data set represents 26,685 completed assessment surveys.
ACHA-NCHA SELECTED RESULTS.
In the last 12 months have you felt like things were hopeless? Yes Males: 39% Females: 54%
In the last 12 months have you felt so depressed that it was difficult to function? Males: 26% Females: 33%
In the last 12 months have you seriously considered suicide? Yes Males: 6.1% Females: 6.4%
In the last 12 months have you felt overwhelming anger? Yes Males: 36% Females: 40%
In the last 12 months have you felt overwhelming anxiety? Yes Males: 39% Females: 54%
In the past 12 months have you intentionally cut, burned, bruised or otherwise injured yourself? Yes Males: 4% Females: 6%
AS A FACULTY MEMBER
You may be one of the first to recognize that a student is experiencing difficulty
Students may approach you directly with their problems
WARNING SIGNS OF A STUDENT IN DISTRESS
Decline in quality of work Declining grades Reduced class participation Incomplete or missing
assignments Repeated requests for
extensions, incompletes, or withdraws
Recurring absence or tardiness
Disruptive class behavior
Cheating, rule breaking, or defiance
Difficulty concentrating Poor organization skills Bizarre, aggressive or
morbid comments or in written content
Signs of anger, hopelessness, isolation, or depression in written assignments
Academic Signs
WARNING SIGNS OF A STUDENT IN DISTRESS
Deterioration in physical condition or hygiene
Extreme sleepiness in class
Apathy Evidence of alcohol or
other drug dependence or abuse
Frequent irritability or anxiety
Emotional outbursts or crying
Expressions of feeling hopeless, helpless, guilty, and/or worthless
Self injury or other self-destructive behavior
Psychological/Physical Signs
GUIDELINES FOR INTERACTION Trust your insight and reactions. Choose a place where you may talk privately,
without interruption . Be honest and focus on the specific signs that
alerted you to a possible problem. The goal is not to pry into student’s personal life
but to confront his/her difficulties in a constructive fashion and encourage appropriate action
Remain calm, compassionate, and willing to listen. Convey your willingness to help.
GUIDELINES FOR INTERACTION
Accept and respect what is said.
Do not swear secrecy or offer confidentiality to the person .
Avoid easy answers such as, “Everything will be all right.”
Keep communication open. Don’t interpret negative,
indifferent, or hostile responses as a wasted effort.
Document interactions with the student after they leave.
MAKING A REFERRAL
Help identify resources needed to improve things.
After listening to what the student has to say, encourage the person to seek help.
Explain why you believe the referral is necessary.
Reassure the student that it is an act of strength to ask for help.
Be mindful that students may view referral as rejection.
Reiterate that the services are free and confidential.
Provide the student with the phone number to the counseling center.
MAKING A REFERRAL If appropriate, ask for an
agreement to make an appointment by a certain date.
It may be necessary for you to make the first contact with the counseling center.
Keep communication open with the student.
Follow up with the student—show continued interest.
If the student resists help and you are worried, contact the Student Counseling Center to discuss your concerns with a counselor.
In emergency situations, call campus police at (434) 395-2091
CONTACTING THE COUNSELING CENTER
Monday – Friday 8:15am – 5:00pm
Located in the Health & Fitness Center, Upper Level,
Phone: 434.395.2409
LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY COUNSELING CENTER COUNSELORS
& STAFF
Dr. Wayne O’Brien
Director of the
Counseling Center
Dr. Maureen Walls-McKay
Associate Director
David Davino
Counselor
Matt Wagner
Administrative Assistant
CARE TEAM
Larry RobertsonAssociate Dean of Students
Care Team addresses: behaviors that impair academic effectiveness
when it is suspected that such behaviors are more than the result of irresponsible choices
behavior that is so disruptive that it impacts the ability of the individual or others to successfully participate in campus life
behavior that is dangerous to self and/or others
THE ULTIMATE GOAL
Provide help to students who ask for it
Reach out to those who need help but never ask
