For Concerned Faculty and Staff Members

Students may experience a great deal of stress during the course of their academic experiences. While most students cope successfully with the challenges these years bring, some students find the various pressures of life unmanageable or unbearable.

Encounters

As faculty and staff, you may encounter distressed students in your office or your classrooms. Many of these students have not sought mental health counseling and may be unaware of the services available to them.

Your Role

Your role could be a positive and crucial one in identifying students who are in distress and assisting them to find the resources available to help themselves. The information below will provide suggestions for faculty and staff on assisting students in distress.

What to Look For

What Signs Indicate that a Referral to the Mental Health Counseling Center Might Be Helpful?

• Abrupt/radical changes in behavior, including a dramatic decrease in academic functioning
• Isolation from others
• Noticeable changes in mood, such as depression, apathy, or irritability
• Poor attendance in classes
• Sudden outbursts of anger
• Attention/memory difficulties
• Alcohol/drug abuse
• Marked change in personal hygiene/appearance
• Inappropriate crying
• Bizarre statements or behavior
• Suicidal statements

How Do I Refer to the Counseling Center?

Provide the student with the Counseling Center's phone number: (719) 502-4782 or direct him/her to our website for further information: www.ppcc.edu/counseling-center