Helping Distressed Students - A Guide for Staff
Most students will cope well with the stresses of academic life given reasonable support from their friends, family and academic tutors. Sometimes they need more than this. If you feel you need to, or are requested to, give a student extra assistance, it is important to help within the boundaries of what you feel competent to do.
This guide gives you advice on dealing with both crises and more everyday situations. It has been produced to:
- Help you to recognise when a student may be in difficulty.
- Provide advice to help you respond/refer appropriately and effectively.
- Remind you of the sources of support within the University and in the Community.
- Raise awareness of issues relating to student mental health.
Recognising student distress
Student distress may come to your attention in a variety of ways. Some students will tell you if they are experiencing difficulties and will ask you directly for help.
You may also realise from changes in someone鈥檚 behaviour, appearance, attendance or academic performance that they may be in some difficulty.
You may notice evidence of drug or alcohol abuse or self-harm.
You may also be alerted to problems by concerned classmates or friends of the student.
It is important to meet promptly with students once you are aware there might be a problem.
Early intervention is crucial in tackling common mental health difficulties and can help to minimise the effect of students鈥 personal circumstances on their academic performance and progress.
Confidentiality
Treat all the personal information a student might disclose with respect and discretion. However, confidentiality cannot be kept in the following circumstances:
- When we believe there is substantial risk of the student harming themselves or others.
- When there is a requirement in law to disclose information.
Ask for a student鈥檚 consent to sharing information with other University staff. Most students will agree to the level of information sharing which is necessary to ensure that they are getting the support they need.
If a student insists that they need to speak to someone in strict confidence they should be referred to the Student Counselling Service which has a professional code of confidentiality. If a student is attending the Student Counselling Service it is not possible for the counsellors to share information with other University staff unless the student gives specific consent.
If it is not urgent
What you should do if the situation does NOT require immediate action
It is NOT urgent if there is no immediate risk to the student and/or to others, although the student may be depressed, anxious, generally stressed, homesick, lonely and isolated, having problems with relationships, suffering from low self-esteem, bereaved, having unexplained study or financial problems.
If the student will accept help
Decide who is the best person to provide help.
If you feel you could help the student
You must ensure that:聽
- You have sufficient time, skill, knowledge.
- It does not conflict with your role.
- You are able to:
- Listen to the student鈥檚 concerns.
- Offer practical advice.
- Provide reassurance.
- Show your concern by following up your conversation at another time.
If you feel someone else should help the student聽
Are you clear what the student needs? (See University Support Services below).
If so, refer directly.
If you are unsure, then seek further advice from a colleague or speak to the 国产乱伦 Counselling Service or Wellbeing Adviser.
If the student will not accept help
You can make it clear that you will help if the student changes his or her mind.
Seek advice from Student Services (see below).
You can monitor the situation.
You should alert the student鈥檚 PAT or other relevant person about continuing concerns.
In all situations
- Make sure that you debrief by talking the situation through with a colleague, line manager or the Student Counselling Service (see Support Services below).
- You should make a record of the conversation and inform the student that you will communicate your concerns to Stay-on-Course Programme.
- Email stayoncourse@qmu.ac.uk as per above and Cc the student in.
If it is urgent
What you should do if the situation IS urgent
It IS urgent if:
- You believe the student may be at risk of harm to him or herself, or others.
- You are concerned for one or more of the following reasons. The student:
- May be at risk of serious self-harm.
- Expresses suicidal thoughts.
- Has completely stopped functioning.
- Seems very disorientated and out of touch with reality.
- Is behaving out of character.
- Is violent or threatening violence to people or property.
If the student will accept help
In office hours
Refer the student directly to his or her GP or to the 国产乱伦 Counselling Service.
If at immediate risk, call security (2222) and arrange for the student to be accompanied.
Out of hours (GP and University)
Call NHS 24 (111) or call the emergency services (999).
You can get help by phoning Security on 2222.
If the student will not accept help
In office hours
Contact the student鈥檚 GP or if unknown, call security on 2222 for help in contacting emergency services.
Out of hours (GP and University)
Call Security on 2222 for help in contacting emergency services or call NHS 24 (111), emergency services (999) or Mental Health Assessment Service (0131-537-6000).
In all situations
- Try to stay calm.
- Engage with the student if possible, but put safety first.
- Prioritise your own safety and that of others at the scene.
- Whenever possible, make sure that you have support available, i.e. colleague, friend, security.
- Make sure that you debrief by talking the situation through with a colleague or the Student Counselling Service or Wellbeing Service.
- Keep a written record.
- Inform your line manager.
University Support Services
Emergency
Dial 2222 (from internal 国产乱伦 phones)
Security (First Aiders)
Tel: 0131 474 0000 then say 鈥淪ecurity鈥
Security staff can assist in contacting emergency services.
Student Services
Student Services is located in the Staff and Student Information Point on Level 1.
Tel: 0131 474 0000 then say 鈥淪tudent Services鈥 or one of the specific services listed below:
| Wellbeing Service | wellbeing@qmu.ac.uk |
|---|---|
| Counselling | counselling@qmu.ac.uk |
| Disability Service | disabilityadvisers@qmu.ac.uk |
| Funding Advice Service | studentfunding@qmu.ac.uk |
| Careers and Employability | careers@qmu.ac.uk |
RILO
rilo@qmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0131 474 0099
Support for international students.
Effective Learning Service
ELS@qmu.ac.uk or ELSinternational@qmu.ac.uk
Located in the LRC. Gives advice on a range of study skills.
Accommodation Services
Support and advice on campus accommodation matters.
Residence Life
For students living in 国产乱伦 accommodation. Help & support offered by the Residence Life team.
Students鈥 Union
helpzone@qmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0131 474 0000 then say 鈥楽tudents鈥 Union鈥
The Students鈥 Union Help Zone provides students with independent, confidential advice and support on welfare and academic matters, including extenuating circumstances, academic appeals, disciplinary, complaints, and fitness to practice issues.
Further advice and information in regard of this Guide can be provided by the Head of Student Services or the Student Counsellor.
Useful numbers
Emergency
999 (or 112)
(from internal 国产乱伦 phones, dial 2222 instead)
NHS 24
111 (calls are free)
Breathing Space
0800 83 85 87
The Samaritans
116 123 (free call)
Text: 07725 909090
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Royal Infirmary A&E
0131 536 1000
Mental Health Assessment Service (Royal Edinburgh Hospital)
0131 537 6000
Mackinnon House, Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh
Riverside Medical Practice聽
Musselburgh (by TESCO)
0131 446 4171
Edinburgh Crisis Centre
(City of Edinburgh residents only)
0808 801 0414
Email: crisis@edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk
Text: 07974 429075
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
08088 01 03 02
Email: support@ercc.scot
Nightline
(confidential peer support for Edinburgh students, 8pm 鈥 8am term time)
0131 557 4444
