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Helping distressed students
The University has produced a guide for staff who need to help distressed students.
A guide for Staff
Many people experience emotional and psychological difficulties at some point in their lives. Usually these can be resolved by talking them through with family and friends. Sometimes professional help is needed.
If you feel you need to, or are requested to give a student extra assistance, it is important to help within the boundaries of what you feel competent to do.
This guide has been produced to:
- Help you to recognise when a student may be in difficulty.
- Provide advice to help you respond/refer appropriately and effectively.
- Remind you of the sources of support within the University.
- Raise awareness of issues relating to student mental health.
Student Counselling Service
You may also wish to contact the Student Counselling Service for advice on matters of student mental health and well-being. Student Counsellors work closely with other members of the University staff and are available for consultation if you are concerned about a student in difficulty or distress, though they cannot discuss a specific student with you without the student’s explicit permission.
Staff training
In addition to providing advice and consultation the Student Counselling Service, in conjunction with the Disability Office, run regular staff development sessions, such as “The Caring DoS”.Please contact the Disability Office if you are interested in this type of training.
This article was published on Aug 13, 2010