HOW TO HELP SOMEONE GET HELP

Let the student know why you are concerned about

them in terms of the student's own worries or needs.

For example:

"I often hear you mention your worries about X, and I

think that's something you are right to be concerned

about."

"It seems from our recent conversations that this is

something you really need to talk about."

"When you mention that you are thinking of suicide, I

know it concerns you and it concerns me, too."

Let the student know what they will gain from meeting

with a clinician.

For example:

"I think you will find it very helpful to discuss all this with

someone impartial, someone who can help you sort out

your thoughts and feelings."

"This is just the thing to consult with a therapist about - a

therapist will know more about this than either one of us."

"You and I just don't have enough time together to address

these concerns the way they deserve, and I think you'd get

a lot out of talking them over with someone at greater

length."

Avoid labeling the student or their behavior.

For example, don't say "You're depressed," or "You have an eating disorder," or "You should be in therapy."

Labeling, whether accurate or inaccurate, can frighten or discourage a student from getting help. And remember that different families and cultures have different ways of expressing their distress; what looks strange to you may be "normal" for the other person.

Reassure the student that making a referral

isn't a rejection.

For example:

"Even though you will be talking with your therapist

about this, I want us to keep in touch about how

things are going for you."

"Come back and let me know how your meeting

with the therapist goes -- you don't have to tell me

details, but I'd like to know that you've found

someone helpful to speak with."

Offer to keep the student company while they call for an appointment, or to call on behalf of the student while they are sitting there with you. Offer to come with the student to their first appointment.

Suggest that the student learn more before making an appointment and refer the student to our web site, which has information about all our services as well as links to helpful web sites on a variety of topics.

Let the student know what to expect if they come talk with a clinician.

For example:

Clinicians are here to help all AU students make the most of their university

experience - consulting a therapist doesn't mean you are "crazy" or "sick."

The student can either call or stop by the Counseling Center to make a first

appointment or "intake," which can usually be scheduled within a few days

- if it's an urgent situation, the student should say so, and they will be seen

sooner.

In a first appointment, the student will discuss with the clinician the

situation or feelings that are troubling them, and what sort of assistance the

student might find helpful. The clinician and student will work together to

locate and access whatever the student needs, whether that is a brief

consultation, ongoing counseling, a specialized treatment program, a

support group, psychiatric medication, etc.

All discussions and records at the Counseling Center are confidential. For

more information on the nature and limits of confidentiality, call the

Counseling Center at x3500.

Follow up with the student.

For example:

Ask the student to let you know how their appointment went (you don't

need to know details, just that they found someone helpful to talk with).

Remember that the student's contact with the Counseling Center is

confidential, so the student's clinician will not be able to give you any

information without the student's explicit permission.

If you hear that the student's appointment with a clinician wasn't helpful,

invite the student to make an appointment with a different clinician, or to

bring their concerns to the attention of the Director so a better match can

be made.