Counseling Center
California State University, Bakersfield
(661) 654-3366
General Guidelines for Helping the Emotionally Distressed Student
Specific Guidelines for Helping Distressed Students
Warning Signs of Potentially Suicidal Behavior
The Verbally Aggressive Student
The Violent or Physically Destructive Student
The Demanding, Passive Student
The Student in Poor Contact with Reality
The following materials have been developed as a result of the combined efforts of counseling centers which comprise the Organization of Counseling Center Directors in Higher Education (OCCDHE). They are designed to assist faculty and staff in identifying and intervening with students who are in distress.
CSUB students commonly experience emotional distress due to personal and academic problems. In the college community, about 10 percent of students may be distressed by depression, acute anxiety, drug or alcohol abuse, or more serious mental health concerns. We at the Counseling Center have developed a group of information sheets that addresses many of these issues.
Many students realize that stress is interfering with their personal and academic goals and seek counseling services on their own. However, friends, faculty, and staff are often the first to recognize that a student may not be functioning well academically and/or emotionally. Students may turn to you because they know you and respect your opinion. You may observe that at certain times of the year, particularly during examinations and holidays, students experience increased anxiety. The student's behavior, especially if it is inconsistent with your experience of him/her, could well constitute an inarticulate attempt to draw attention to his/her plight, for example, turning in assignments late. Other signs may be far less subtle and require immediate action, such as verbal threats or bizarre behaviors.
Openly acknowledging to the students that you are aware of their distress, that you are sincerely concerned about their welfare, and that you are willing to help them explore their alternatives can have a profound effect. We encourage you whenever possible to speak directly to a student when you sense that he/she is in academic and/or personal distress.
If you are unsure how to respond to a specific student, consult with one of the professional staff at the Counseling Center. Suggestions will be made for approaches you can take with the student. The counselor can also assist with the referral process.
The Counseling Center is committed to helping students increase their skills and resources in meeting their academic and interpersonal challenges and in becoming responsible and productive adults. The professional staff consists of a psychologist, marriage and family therapists, as well as masters level interns and trainees.
Our services include individual therapy and crisis response, as well as numerous general studies courses on topic such as stress management, assertiveness skills, and relationships. Staff also offer training and consultation services to student organizations, academic departments and other university agencies that have a high degree of contact with students.
If you feel that professional counseling might be beneficial, refer the student to the Counseling Center. Be direct in letting the student know that you believe a counselor would be of help in this situation. Inform the student that the service is both confidential and free of charge. A mutual decision is best. Don't force the issue if the student takes a defensive posture - simply restate your concerns and recommendations. If the student is receptive, you can suggest that he/she call for an appointment at 654-3366. You may even offer to contact a counselor and provide background information. If the situation seems urgent, you can call the Counseling Center and request to speak with an available counselor, or you may walk the student to the Counseling Center.
Counseling Center - 654-3366
Student Health Center - 654-2394
Campus Police - 654-2111
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Protective Services | P.O. Box 511, 93302 | 631-6007 |
| Alliance Against Family Violence | 1921 19th Street | 327-1091 |
| Aunt Cherie's Home | 3811 Mt Vernon Ave | 872-7777 |
| Child Protective Services | 1603 California Ave. | 631-6011 |
| College Community Services | 16940 Highway 14 (Mojave) | 824-4938 |
| DCC-Substance Abuse Services | 1631 30th Street | 322-9273 |
| Haven House | 730 Chester | 327-4711 |
| Henrietta Weill Child Guidance | 3611 Stockdale Highway | 322-1021 |
| Jason's Retreat (for women) | 3316 Laverne Ave. | 832-8504 |
| Kern County Mental Health | 2151 College Ave. | 868-8000 |
| Kern Linkage | 2525 N. Chester | 868-1840 |
| Clinica Sierra Vista -- Delano | 828 High S., Suite C | 625-2788 |
| Clinica Sierra Vista -- Frazier Park | 3717 Mt. Pinos Way, Suites C & D | 245-0250 |
| Clinica Sierra Vista -- Lamont | 8787 Hall Road | 845-3717 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kern Medical Center | 1830 Flower Street | 326-2000 |
| Good Samaritan | 901 Olive Drive | 399-4461 |
| Good Samaritan Hospital Southwest | 5201 White lane | 398-1800 |
| Crisis Stabilization Unit, @ Kern County Mental Health |
2151 College Ave. | 868-8000 |
1-800 Numbers (24 hours):
Alliance Against Family Violence - 800-273-7713
Victims of Crime Resource Center - 800-842-8467
Police/Emergency Services - 911
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. The suicidal person is intensely ambivalent about killing himself/herself and typically responds to help; suicidal states are definitely time limited and most who commit suicide are neither crazy nor psychotic. High risk indicators include: feelings of hopelessness and futility; a severe loss or threat of loss; a detailed suicide plan; history of a previous attempt; history of alcohol or drug abuse; and feelings of alienation and isolation. Suicidal students usually want to communicate their feelings; any opportunity to do so should be encouraged.
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Warning Signs of Potentially Suicidal Behavior
If you observe any of the following warning signs that might indicate suicidal risk, communicate them to a mental health professional as soon as possible.
The Verbally Aggressive Student
Students sometimes become verbally abusive when confronted with frustrating situations which they perceive as beyond their control; anger and frustration become displaced from those situations to you. Typically, the anger is not a personal attack, although it may be directed at you.
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The Violent Or Physically Destructive Student
Violence related to emotional distress is very rare and typically occurs only when the student is completely frustrated, feels powerless, and is unable to exert sufficient self-control. The adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," best applies here.
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Given the stresses of university life, students are especially susceptible to drug abuse. A variety of substances are available that provide escape from pressing demands. These drugs soon create their own set of problems in the form of addiction, accident proneness, and poor health. The most abused substance--so commonplace we often forget that it is a drug--is alcohol. Alcohol and other drug-related accidents remain the greatest single cause of preventable death among college students.
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Typically, These Students Get The Most Sympathy. They Show A Multitude Of Symptoms, E.G., Guilt, Low Self-Esteem, Feelings Of Worthlessness, And Inadequacy As Well As Physical Symptoms Such As Decreased Or Increased Appetite, Difficulty Staying Asleep, Early Awakening, Low Interest In Daily Activities. Depressed Students Are Frequently Lethargic, But Sometimes Depression Is Accompanied By Agitation.
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These students are highly anxious about the unknown and may perceive danger is everywhere. Uncertainty about expectations and interpersonal conflicts are primary causes of anxiety. High and unreasonable self- expectations increase anxiety also. These students often have trouble making decisions.
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The Demanding, Passive Student
Typically, the utmost time and energy given to these students is not enough; they often seek to control your time and unconsciously believe the amount of time received is a reflection of their worth.
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The Student In Poor Contact With Reality
These students have difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality, the dream from the waking state. Their thinking is typically illogical, confused, disturbed; they may coin new words, see or hear things which no one else can, have irrational beliefs, and exhibit bizarre or inappropriate behavior. Generally, these students are not dangerous and are very scared, frightened and overwhelmed.
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Typically, these students complain about something other than their psychological difficulties. They are tense, anxious, mistrustful, loners, and have few friends. They tend to interpret minor oversights as significant personal rejection and often overreact to insignificant occurrences. They see themselves as the focal point of everybody's behavior and everything that happens has special meaning to them. They are overly concerned with fairness and being treated equally. Feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy underline much of their behavior.
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