Referring Others

Students face challenges often seek help from those in their support system. This often includes faculty, staff, parents, and friends. Due to this, it is imperative that you are able to recognize signs of distress, know the parameters of your role, and effectively refer students to appropriate mental health resources when needed. This is increasingly important, as research has repeatedly shown more severe mental health problems manifesting among students than in the past. Below you can find useful information to help you appropriately refer students so they can receive the help they need.

It is strongly recommended that all SU faculty, staff, and students complete Kognito At-Risk training to ensure that you are equip to effectively refer students. Completing the training that corresponds with your role will not only help those around you, but could save lives, as increasingly high percentages of students report seriously considering suicide. To learn more and start your free interactive training, visit our Kognito webpage.

The Purple Folder is another helpful resource for faculty and staff. This document outlines resources, warning signs, how to intervene, and where to refer. Download a digital copy in PDF format.

Concern for Student Safety

If a student is in immediate danger call 911 or University Police at 410-543-6222. For other 24/7 crisis options visit our Crisis Resources webpage.

For non-emergency concerns including, but not limited to, reporting information related to students of concern, medical withdrawal requests, absence notifications and emergency grant fund applications make a report to the SU CARE Team by creating an Online CARE Report . This form will be reviewed by SU Cares/Case Management and the SU CARE Team (Behavioral Intervention Team) during normal business hours.

Determining Where To Refer

There are many reasons why you may talk to a student about the Counseling Center. When doing so, it is important to remember that the Center is here to help students with their mental health concerns. If they are struggling with academics, need accommodations for a disability, are being disruptive or inappropriate in class, or are having other related issues, they may benefit from a referral to another office on campus. Read through the Know How to Get Help information sheet to learn more about who to contact during a mental health emergency. To learn more about the Counseling Center’s services, you can visit our Services web page.

Characteristics of Mental Health Concerns
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) (link to new dropdown)
- 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
Additional Referral Options
- 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 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. SU Cares also houses the SU CARE Team.
    
    SU CARE Team (Behavioral Intervention Team) is a multidisciplinary team whose function is to assess and provide recommendations related to students experiencing distress or displaying concerning behaviors. A referral to this team offers a collaborative approach across multiple campus departments to ensure an opportunity for a comprehensive assessment and intervention plan.
    
    To Report a Concern about a Student to SU Cares and the SU CARE Team 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.
  - Disability Resource Center (DRC) 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 DRC 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)
- Under the dropdown When to Refer change the last line in the paragraph to “A referral to the Counseling Center should be considered in the following situations:”

When and How to Refer

When to Refer
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.
How to Refer
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 his/her concerns. Have the student call to schedule an appointment from your office, if he/she is 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 he/she 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 he or she needs.

Confidentiality Statement

All client contacts and information obtained in the course of treatment is confidential. No information will be released without written authorization from the client, except in the rare cases of imminent danger or as required by law when there is a suspicion of child abuse, elder abuse or a court order.