ASU Counseling Services staff offer faculty and staff the opportunity to talk with one of our counselors regarding concerns they may have about an ASU student. Often faculty and staff are in a pivotal position to positively influence a student and encourage the student to seek help. As consultants, our role is to help you determine the best course of action for addressing your concern. We accomplish this by discussing your concerns and brainstorming with you ways in which you can help.
This article in The Chronicle of Higher Education about How to Help a Student in a Mental Health Crisis provides a summary of the types of strategies we typically recommend.
In addition, here are some common situations in which it might make sense to call us to consult:
- Individuals exhibiting unusual behavior or presenting safety concerns in a classroom or residence hall
- Professors expressing concern about the well-being of a student
- Parents concerned about their student’s academic functioning
- Students concerned about the behaviors or habits of another student
- Situations in which multiple students experience a traumatic event, such as the death of a student or a national or local event impacting students
We can also be helpful by providing the following information on how to:
- Identify a student in distress
- Talk to a student who seems to be depressed, anxious, and/or suicidal
- Suggest to someone that they get professional assistance
- Handle a disruptive or threatening student
- Make an appointment for counseling services
We also recommend you review ASU’s Faculty & Staff guide for assisting students with behavioral concerns.
What you can do
You can discuss your concerns directly and plainly with the student and listen for their response. Talking about a problem or labeling a crisis does not make it worse. It is the first step to resolving it. If you are referring a student to us, some students find it comforting to call from your office or have someone accompany them to our office. ASU Counseling Services provides crisis intervention for students who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
During office hours, please call any ASU Counseling Service location and request to speak to counselor on duty. ASU counselors are happy to consult with you about students of concern. Counselors can provide information about spotting a student in distress, talking to a student who seems depressed, anxious or suicidal, handling a disruptive or threatening student, and making an appointment for counseling services.
If you need assistance outside of business hours, please call EMPACT’s 24-Hour ASU-dedicated Crisis Line: 480-921-1006.
