While the college experience is often referred to as the “best years” of one’s life, it may also be one of the most stressful times. While most students cope successfully with the many demands of college life, for some the pressures can become unmanageable and overwhelming. Students may feel alone, helpless, isolated, and hopeless. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance or personal relationships, and may result in harmful behaviors such as substance abuse and attempts at suicide.

Counselors are not typically the first people that students turn to when they have problems. Students are in almost daily contact with faculty and staff members, advisors, friends, resident assistants, and they naturally confide in those closest to them when they are having difficulties. As a result, these individuals are in an excellent position to identify students in emotional distress, provide assistance, and refer them to counseling when they appear to have more serious concerns. Your expression of interest and concern may be critical in helping a student re-establish their emotional equilibrium necessary to get back on track.

The Counseling Center provides consultation for university students, faculty members, and staff who are concerned about the unusual, problematic, or potentially harmful behavior of students. In person or over the phone, a counselor will explore your concerns and help you identify options or develop ideas for dealing with a situation regarding a student. If circumstances warrant, we'll help you with the process of getting help for the student, either at the Counseling Center, or another more suitable resource. Below is a menu of items which may answer or address various concerns you may have about recognizing and/or helping a student in distress: