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Students in Distress: A Guide for Guides to Personal Success (GPS)

The Guides to Personal Success are in a unique position to identify and help students who are in crisis. This may be particularly true for students who cannot or will not turn to family or friends. Anyone who is seen as caring and trustworthy may be a potential resource in times of trouble. Your expression of interest and concern may be a critical factor in saving students' academic careers or even their lives.

College students typically encounter a great deal of stress during their university years (i.e., academic, social, family, work, financial). While most students cope successfully with the demands of college life, for some the pressures can become overwhelming and unmanageable. Students may feel alone, isolated, helpless, and even hopeless. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance and may result in harmful behaviors such as substance abuse or suicide attempts.

The purpose of this page is to help you recognize some of the symptoms of student distress and to provide some specific options for intervention and for referral to campus resources. The University Counseling Center is available to assist you with problem situations and to consult with you on how to intervene with a particular student.

Tips for Recognizing Distressed Students

In everyone’s life there some a time when he or she feels depressed or upset. The following list identifies symptoms that, if consistent or severe may suggest that he or she could benefit from assistance.

Marked Change in Academic Performance or Behavior
Unusual Behavior or Appearance
References to Suicide, Homicide, or Death
Any of these may occur in students' verbal or written statements.

If a student is describing a dangerous situation or making explicit statements or intentions regarding suicide or violence, call UPD immediately at 202-994-6111 or at Mount Vernon Campus call 202-242-6111

What Can You Do?

If you choose to approach a student you are concerned about or if a student reaches out to you for help with personal problems, here are some suggestions which might make the opportunity more comfortable for you and more helpful for the student.

Talk to the student in private
If you have initiated the contact, express your concern in behavioral, non-judgmental terms
Give Hope
Avoid judging, evaluating, & criticizing
Maintain clear and consistent boundaries and expectations
Refer
Follow-Up
Consult

When in doubt about the appropriateness of an action, call the University Counseling Center (202-994-5300) , or the University Police Department (202-994-6110).

Appointments at the UCC

Students are encouraged to make their own appointments. You can assist this process by offering the student immediate use of your phone. Students can also visit the University Counseling Center to schedule an appointment. The receptionist will arrange for the student to meet with a staff member as soon as possible. In urgent situations, we will assist the student immediately. The student should be encouraged to state if he or sheneeds to be seen that day. The first appointment is free; however, there is a fee for subsequent individual counseling. All services at the University Counseling Center are confidential by law.

Consultation is Available

If you have decided to help a student at risk, you may still have questions about how best to handle the situation. Staff members at the University Counseling Center are available to help you:

  • Assess the situation, its severity, and the potential for referral;
  • Learn about resources (both on and off campus) so you can suggest the most appropriate course of action when talking to the student;
  • Find the best way to make the referral, if appropriate;
  • Clarify your own feelings about the student and consider ways you can be most effective;
  • Discuss follow-up concerns after the initial action or referral.

The University Counseling Center staff is also offer educational programs for your department oror class on topics such as Adjustment to College, Time Management, Assertive Communications, Healthy Relationships, Cultural and Racial Diversity, Career/Major Decisions, Coping with Depression, Academic Effectiveness, and Stress Management/Relaxation.

Counseling Center Services

• Consultation Services for Faculty and Staff
• Counseling and Support Groups
• Short-term Individual Counseling
• Crisis Intervention and Follow-up
• Academic Skill Enhancement Workshops
• Academic/College Adjustment Groups
• Career Counseling and Testing
• Suicide Prevention Training
• Educational Workshops
• Self Help Library
• Referral Services for Specialized or Continued Counseling

Emergency Numbers

 UCC (24/7): 202-994-5300
 UPD Emergency Line:202-994-6111
 GW Hospital Emergency Room:202-715-4911
 GW Sexual Assault Team:202-994-SACC (7222)
 DC Rape Crisis Center:202-333-RAPE (7273)
 CrisisLink Local Hotline:800-273-TALK (8255)
 National Hopeline:800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Students living in residence halls may also contact the GW Housing staff for emergency assistance.

The University Counseling Center is open 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday - Friday

TheCounseling Center maintains a 24-hour on-call system for campus emergencies, which can be accessed by calling our main number, 202-994-5300. Emergency resource wallet cards are available for all members of the GW community. Please stop by the UCC office or any UCC outreach event to obtain a card.

For more information about the GPS Program, please visit:
http://gwired.gwu.edu/gps




 

 

 

 
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