Referring a Student

To determine if a student would benefit from a referral to the Counseling Center, it is first important to be aware of characteristics of those who maybe struggling with their mental health. Below are some characteristics:

• Extremely poor academic performance, or a change from high to low grades
• Excessive absences from class or other obligations, especially if this is a change of behavior
• Unusual or noticeably changed interaction patterns
• Depressed or apathetic mood, excessive activity or talkativeness, evidence of crying
• Noticeable change in appearance and hygiene
• Alcohol on the breath or problematic alcohol use (negatively impacting areas of life or putting them at risk for harm)
• Significant or problematic changes to sleeping or energy levels (ex. inability to remain awake in class)
• Repeated attempts to obtain deadline extensions or postpone tests
• New or continuous behavior which is disruptive in class, or any other area of their life (if the behavior persists, or does not appear to related to a mental health concern, a referral to the CARE Team or SU Cares maybe appropriate. See the dropdown Additional Referral Options below)
• Inappropriate or exaggerated emotional reactions to situations, including a lack of emotional response to stressful events
• Seeking help from multiple other parties instead of counseling professionals
• Obvious loss of contact with reality
• Disturbed speech or communication content
• Suicidal or other self-destructive thoughts or actions

• There are many helpful offices at Salisbury University. Below are some that closely relate to the services offered at the Counseling Center. Understanding the differences in how each office can help will improve your ability to provide the best referral to your student.
  • University Police (UP) if you are concerned for anyone’s immediate safety, call 911. If you are concerned for someone’s immediate safety who is not currently with you, you can call UP or the student’s local police department and ask them to complete a Welfare check.
  • SU Cares (Case Management) can be helpful for students who need assistance with medical withdraws, unexpected injury/illness, and assistance accessing non-academic resources on and off campus. SU Cares can also be of assistance if you are worried about a student, but it is not clear if they are experiencing mental health concerns. To make a referral to the SU Case Manager you can complete an Online Care Report.
  • Student Accountability & Community Standards can help if a student has violated SU’s community standards and you would like to make a formal complaint through the school.
  • Office of Access & Accommodations (OAA) can help a student if they ask about requesting accommodations to support them with their diagnosed disability, or need help ensuring their accommodations are being upheld. The OAA also handles request for Emotional Support Animals (ESA.)
  • Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) can be a resource if the student feels they have experienced discrimination or sexual violence and would like to know their rights or want to make a formal complaint through SU.
  • Other offices to consider maybe:
• Career Services
• The Center for Student Achievement (CSA)
• The Academic Advising Center
• Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

Whenever any of the signs of difficulties listed above are present and a student is not functioning at optimum level, a referral to the Counseling Center could be warranted. Often an empathic listener or a trusted mentor can provide the support, guidance or perspective to sufficiently help a student through a difficult situation or time in life. Teachers, advisors, Student Affairs staff and university personnel in general are dedicated to helping students learn, grow and succeed. There are times however, when the help of professionals trained to deal with psychological issues and problems is warranted. A referral to the Counseling Center should be considered in the following situations:

• A student asks for help with a problem outside of your realm of expertise.
• The student feels uncomfortable talking to you about the problem.
• What you have done so far has not sufficiently helped reduce the problem.
• The student’s behavior is disrupting others.
• Helping the student could represent a conflict of interest or dual relationship and compromise your objectivity.
• You are having a strong emotional reaction to the student’s situation, e.g. feeling overwhelmed, overly responsible, afraid or tired.
• You are extremely busy or stressed or unwilling or unable to offer the necessary help.

Some aspects of making an effective referral include helping the student see that there may be a problem, showing care and instilling a sense of hope and confidence in the remedy through counseling. Specific suggestions for referring are provided below:

• Talk to the student in private.
• Express concern, while being specific about particular troubling behaviors.
• Listen empathically.
• Remain neutral.
• Suggest to the student that it would be helpful to talk to someone at the Counseling Center who is trained to address their concerns. Have the student call to schedule an appointment from your office, if they are willing.
• Demystify and destigmatize counseling as necessary.
• Call a counselor yourself to consult about the student’s circumstances.
• Obtain emergency help via University Police if there is a threat of danger or harm.
• Follow up with the student to find out if they kept the appointment. Don’t inquire about details of the session, rather just show an interest in knowing that the student is getting the help that they need.