• The student asks you for help.
• The student has experienced a trauma.
• The student appears distressed about school or personal life.
• The student's performance in and/or attendance to major activities (e.g., academics, athletics, student organizations, employment, etc.) have declined.
• The student exhibits behavioral changes (e.g. not sleeping or sleeping all the time, increase or decrease in energy level, etc.) or displays highly unusual behavior.
• The student's physical appearance changes dramatically (e.g., seasonally inappropriate attire, cuts or bruises, dramatic weight changes, severe body odor, etc.)
• The student displays extreme emotional reactions (e.g., loud or inappropriate expressions of anger, frequent or intense crying, etc.).

• If you are unsure about whether a student may need a referral to counseling or are uncomfortable approaching the student about the referral to counseling, please consult with someone in Student Affairs or a mental health profesional from the PCMHC.
• We may be able to assist you in providing case specific information about how to approach the student, help you assess the severity of the situation, and/or find another person who can approach the student.
• People you may wish to consult with include: Joyce Stern; Alecia Sundsmo; Travis Greene; Deanna Shorb; counselors at walk-in; counselors at PCMHC.

• Express your concern privately
• Try not to use labels (e.g., you have an eating disorder, you're depressed)
• Use "I" statements
• Talk about the specific observable behaviors that suggest the need for counseling
• Normalize counseling (in the course of regular conversation)
• Offer to make the referral for him or her
• If appropriate, go to the counseling center with him or her
• Try to follow-up - offer to listen again
• Remember that you are not responsible for making the person ready to change, but you can provide him or her with the opportunity to contact the appropriate resource

If a student shows these signs, call 236-6137 immediately and request consultation with one of the clinical staff about an appropriate course of action:

• Out of touch with reality
• Talking about killing themselves or someone else
• Passive suicidal statements (for example, I wouldn't care if I got hit by a truck)
• Unable to take care of him/herself in routine ways (eating, sleeping, safety)