Faculty & Staff > Personal Counseling
Personal Counseling
Identifying the Warning Signs | Talking with a Student | If the Situation is Urgent | Symptoms of Suicidal Thinking | Other Resources
As a faculty or staff member at NWU, a student may come to you with a mental health concern. You may also observe behaviors that lead you to believe that a student is in distress. Any one of the following indicators alone does not necessarily suggest that a student is at risk; however, a combination of these signs may indicate that a student is in need of help.
If a situation arises with a student, don't hesitate to contact the Career & Counseling Center at 465.2224 and ask for Geri, Janelle or Heather, or walk the student to the Career & Counseling Center (lower level of the Student Center).
Identifying the Warning Signs
Academic Indicators
- Deterioration in quality of work
- Missed assignments or appointments
- Repeated absence from class or lab
- Recurring requests for unusual accommodations (extensions for papers, assignments, exams, etc.)
- Lack of engagement in participation-oriented classes or with lab partners
- Inappropriate disruption or monopolization in class
Physical or Psychological Indicators
- Deterioration in physical appearance or personal hygiene
- Excessive fatigue or sleep difficulties
- Visible increase or decrease in weight
Other Factors to Consider
- Direct statements indicating family problems
- Personal loss such as a death in the family, or the break-up of a relationship
- Expression of concern about a student by peers
- Written note or verbal statement that has a sense of hopelessness or finality
- Your own sense that something is amiss with the student
Talking with a Student
- If possible, speak to the student privately and in person
- Describe the basis of your concern
- If you are worried that a student may be depressed or suicidal don’t be afraid to ask about it. Acknowledging a student’s pain may be a first step toward getting the vital assistance needed.
- Avoid criticizing or sounding judgmental
- Listen carefully
- If asked, do not promise confidentiality. Prior assurances can make it difficult to take appropriate action. Assure the student the information will be shared discreetly and only because you are concerned for their personal safety and well being.
- Consider the student’s concerns and discuss possible referral options with the student
- If you are uncertain about a referral, feel free to consult the staff in the Career and Counseling Center or Student Life Office for advice
- Schedule a follow up meeting to determine the effectiveness of the referral
If the Situation is Urgent
- Stay with the student
- Call the Career and Counseling Center (465.2224) and ask to speak with a professional staff member
- If possible, walk the student to the Career and Counseling Center.
- If the student becomes combative contact Campus Security
(465.2325 or 432.9238) to assist in escorting the student
- After business hours, contact the on-call Residence Life Staff member at 601.2114
Symptoms of Suicidal Thinking
- Talking openly about committing suicide, or taking indirectly about “wanting out” or “ending it all”
- Expressing a sense of hopelessness
- Withdrawing from friends and social activities
- Taking unnecessary or life-threatening risks
- Giving away personal possessions
- Losing interest in personal appearance
- Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
- Having attempted suicide in the past, however half-heartedly
If between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. call the Career & Counseling Center at 465.2224 and ask for Geri, Janelle or Heather, or walk the student to the Career & Counseling Center (lower level of the Student Center).
If after 5:00 p.m. contact:
- On-call professional at 601.2114
- Lancaster County Suicide Mental Health Hotline at 441.7940
- Chris Orr at 484.0595. Indicate that you are with NWU and that this is an emergency situation.
Source: Kadison, Richard, M.D., College of the Overwhelmed, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004
Other Resources
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