Student Success Center

Counseling Services

Faculty Resources

College students typically encounter a great deal of stress - academic, social, family, work, financial, spiritual - during the course of the educational experience. While most students cope successfully with the demands of college life, for some the pressures can become overwhelming and unmanageable. The inability to cope effectively with emotional stress poses a serious threat to students' learning ability.

Identifying and helping a student in distress

The following guidelines may help you assess what can sometimes be a difficult situation and give you specific ideas about what you can do when confronted with students who are distressed:

• How do I recognize a student in distress?
• How can I help a distressed student?
• When should I refer a student to counseling?
• How do I refer a student to counseling?
• What should I tell the student about the counseling office?
• What do I do in an emergency?