Faculty & Staff Support

Information for Faculty & Staff

One function of the Counseling Center is to provide the faculty and staff at UTB/TSC with current information on how to recognize students in distress and how to refer them to the Counseling Center . As Faculty and Staff are in a unique position to help students in distress. During the process of your teaching or advising, you may encounter students who are experiencing learning problems, psychological problems or showings signs of distress. Many students may view you as a compassionate and respectful listener and seek you out for assistance with a crisis situation or simple adjustment difficulties.

Recognizing students in distress:
There are a variety of behaviors that may indicate that a student is in distress.  These behaviors include: 

• avoidance of classroom participation

• domination of discussions

• excessive anxiety when called upon

• exaggerated emotional responses (inappropriate to the situation)

• sudden changes in classroom behavior (attendance, grades, attention)

• depressed or lethargic mood

• hyperactivity or very rapid speech

• unexplained crying

• irritability or angry outbursts

• changes in personal hygiene or dress

• dramatic weight loss or gain

• strange or bizarre behavior indicating loss of contact with reality

• expression of thoughts of helplessness or hopelessness

• overt references to suicidal and homicidal threats

Referring to the Counseling Center : 
If you choose to approach a student you are concerned about or a student reaches out to you for help with personal problems, know your personal limits as a helper.  Refer to the Counseling center when the problem is more serious than you feel comfortable handling.  You may have helped as much as you can and further assistance may be needed.  If the student admits that there is a problem but does not want to talk to you about it or asks for information you are unable to provide, offer the student immediate use of your phone to schedule an appointment by calling 882-8292. 

If you or the student think that the matter is an emergency, the student can meet immediately with an available counselor.  If the student is in crisis, you may decide to accompany the student to the Counseling Center located in Cardenas Hall North, Rm. 103.