RESOURCES FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

As a faculty or staff member, you are in an excellent position to assess the emotional states of students. If you notice a student acting in a manner you consider peculiar or appearing distraught, you may wish to provide support to that student. This page will help you respond to distressed students or distressing student situations.

Many students experience extensive changes in their lives while in college. Students may leave their homes, communities, and even their home cultures to live independently, many for the first time. In college they must make key career and life decisions while developing the judgment that marks their maturation from adolescents to young adults. Students must also manage the special challenges of academics. Under these difficult circumstances, students may find their personal resources strained.

As a faculty member, you are in an excellent position to assess the emotional states of students. If you notice a student acting in a manner you consider peculiar or a student appearing overly distraught, you may wish to provide support to that student. When distressing circumstances are significantly affecting a student's well-being or ability to make satisfactory academic progress and that student asks you to discuss the situation, do the following:

• Convey concern, support and encouragement
• Provide the student with information regarding the situation, your class, etc.
• Help the student locate resources needed to resolve the problem (i.e. CAPS)
• Provide reassurance as appropriate
• Set limits on the student's behavior if there are any signs of aggression
• Stick to the limits that you set
• When appropriate, have another person come into your office to provide you with support or to assess the situation

Faculty are not expected to provide counseling. Staff at CAPS are trained to assess and intervene with emotional problems and disorders. In some interactions with emotionally distraught students, you may wish to refer them to CAPS. You may also call CAPS during our business hours (8:00 - 5:00, Monday - Friday) to consult with one of our On Duty Counselors regarding the situation (752-0871).

The Director of CAPS is Emil Rodolfa.

Helping Dangerous Students: Tips for Faculty/Staff

Responding to Distressed or Distressing Students

More…

Responding When a Life Depends on It: What to Write in the Margins When Students Self-Disclose (University of Central Oklahoma)

Responding When a Life Depends on It: What to Write in the Margins When Students Self-Disclose (PDF)

Tips for Managing Emotionally-Laden Classroom Discussions

More about CAPS…