Information For Faculty and Staff - Threat of Violence

Services Provided

Referral of a Student:

• How You Can Help
• Some Signs and Symptoms of a Student in Distress
• Guidelines for Intervention
• How to Make a Referral to the Counseling Center
• Some Warning Signs of Substance Abuse

Students frequently encounter stress at different times during the course of their academic experience. Students may also encounter personal or academic difficulties, or a combination of events which effect these areas of their lives. While students do cope successfully with the challenges that these years bring, at times students may feel that the various pressures of life and academia are overwhelming and unmanageable.

Drexel University has made a commitment to assist students so that they can be successful academically as well as develop and grow as persons. If distressing circumstances are significantly affecting students, they may turn to you for assistance.

There are several ways to help a student in distress. You may help by continuing to provide essential support; by expressing your willingness to help; or by assisting the student in locating resources. Some students may have experience with psychological support services, while other students may not. Your role in identifying and referring students who are in distress can be extremely helpful to students in need of additional support.

• Excessive procrastination and poorly prepared work, especially if this is inconsistent with previous work.
• Infrequent class attendance with little or no work completed
• Social withdrawal
• Listlessness, lack of energy, or frequent falling asleep in class
• Marked changes in mood or personality
• Marked changes in personal hygiene
• Repeated requests for special consideration, e.g., deadline extensions
• Impaired speech or garbled, disjointed thoughts
• Behavior which regularly interferes with the decorum or effective management of your class
• Overtly suicidal thoughts, e.g., referring to suicide as an option
• High levels of irritability, unruly, or abrasive behavior
• Inability to make decisions despite your repeated attempts to clarify and to encourage
• Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
• Bizarre or strange behavior
• Normal emotions that are displayed to an extreme degrees or for a prolonged period of time, e.g., fearfulness, tearfulness, nervousness

• Talk to a student in private
• Express concern. Be as specific as possible in stating your observations and the reasons for concern.
• Be direct. It communicates respect and caring for the individual.
• Don't rush. Except in emergencies, the student should feel free to accept, consider, or refuse the referral
• Avoid criticizing or sounding judgmental.
• If the student resists help and you remain uncomfortable with the situation, contact the Counseling Center to discuss your concerns

There are several ways of making a referral to the counseling center.

Suggest that the student call or walk-in to the Counseling Center to make an appointment. Give the appropriate phone number and location at that time. It can be helpful sometimes to assist the student in making the first contact with the Counseling Center by calling the Center with the student present, or by escorting the student to the Center yourself. A telephone contact in advance, however, will reassure the student and prepare the staff. If you are unsure about which referral is most appropriate for the student, please contact the Counseling Center directly to discuss the situation.

To make an appointment call (215) 895-1415, e-mail counseling@drexel.edu, or visit the Counseling Center, 201 Creese Student Center.

In the event of an emergency or crises after regular office hours you can page the on-call Counselor at 215-363-2102, or call campus security at 215-895-2822 . A list of Emergency services and numbers is also available through this site as well as a list of Resources and Links.

If you think a student or friend might have a substance abuse problem there may be some behaviors or symptoms that are easily observable and could indicate the presence of a problem. The following signs and symptoms might indicate that someone has or is at risk for having a problem with drugs or alcohol.

• You have heard reports or seen the student drinking excessively.
• The student has been involved in disciplinary actions as a result of alcohol or drug intoxication.
• The student's grades have suffered because of excess substance use.
• The student has been involved in accidents in which alcohol is involved.
• The student misses classes or appointments because s/he is hung over.
• The student is having difficulties in relationships with peers because of his or her excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
• The student has been involved in sexual activity he or she later regrets.
• The student has had erratic emotional outbursts.
• The student has 'black outs'.
• The student is unable to modify his or her drinking or drug use.
• The student has experienced weight loss, medical difficulties, or is exhibiting poor hygiene.

If students show any of these signs it might be indicative of a problem. You might suggest that they speak with someone at the Counseling Center to address some of their concerns or perhaps to take a look at the role that drugs and alcohol play in their lives.

Counseling & Health Home

• The Counseling Center
• Student Health Center