1. Convey your concern for the student's well-being.
2. Explain what you have heard or observed that makes you concerned about the student.
3. Recommend one or more possible referrals, explaining why these resources may be helpful.
4. Tell the student as much as you can about the referral resource(s).
5. Involve the student in the referral decision in a collaborative way, if possible.
6. Help the student make the initial contact with the referral, if needed.
   

If You or the Student Consider the Situation a Crisis or Emergency:

1. Offer to call the referral while the student is still in your office. For mental health emergencies, two resources for Tulane students are:
   1. Educational Resources and Counseling (865-5113).
   2. The Psychiatry Dept of the Student Health Center (865-5255 ext. 3).
2. Let the referral know that you have a student with you who needs a crisis appointment.
3. Share relevant information with the referral over the phone.
4. Ask the referral to contact you if the student does not keep the appointment.
   

After the Referral:

1. Ask the student how it went, without prying too much for information.
2. Continue to be supportive and inquire periodically how he/she is doing.
3. Contact the referral if you learn additional information that may be important or relevant.
   

Possible Problems in Making Referrals:

1. The student may feel rejected or abandoned by you. (The way you make the referral - i.e., in a caring, compassionate way - can help defuse this possibility).
2. The student may have stated that she or he only wants to talk to you and no one else. (Emphasize why the referral may be better trained to handle their concerns, and why it would be in her/his best interests to get help from the most qualified source).
3. The student may be afraid or reluctant to go to the referral resource. (Offer to help the student make the initial contact; if you are willing to do so, offer to accompany him/her on the initial visit to the referral).
4. The student may agree with the idea of going to a referral, but then fail to follow through. (It is important to follow-up and ask the student how it went - without prying for details).
5. You may not know enough about various referral resources to be able to give the student a recommendation. (This is a good reason to familiarize yourself with available student support services before the need arises).
6. You may limit your recommendations to referrals that you would use, rather than inform the student about all of her/his options.
7. You may not believe that anyone else can help the student but you. (This is often a warning sign of a unhealthy dynamic that may be going on. In this case, it may be especially important to refer the student to someone else).
   

When in Doubt, Consult

1. If you are concerned about a student, but unsure of an appropriate course of action, Educational Resources and Counseling counselors will be happy to consult with you.
   

How To Refer Students to a Counselor

The simplest way is to offer the student a flyer describing Educational Resources and Counseling and recommend whatever services you or they think may be appropriate:

Tutoring

Writing Workshop
Career Testing
Disability Services
Counseling for personal, academic or career concerns.

Consultation

If you think the student's problems are serious and/or you want confirmation that he or she followed your suggestion to seek help: call (504) 865-5113 before the student comes to ERC, give us the name of the student and relevant information, and ask us to let you know whether the student comes for help. The counselor will ask the student's permission to call you to verify that he or she kept the appointment.

Emergencies

If you or the student tell us that the situation is urgent, we will make every effort to see the student that day.

Confidentiality

Except for certain rare legal situations (e.g., threat of harm to self or others), all information about student clients, including the fact that a student made an appointment at ERC, is confidential and cannot be released to anyone else without the student's permission. If the student gives us permission to release information, we are happy to do so. Calling ahead, BEFORE the student comes to ERC, to tell us that you would like to know if the student made and kept an appointment alerts our staff to seek permission from the student when we see her or him.

Suggestions for What to Say

Academic Problems

• There is free tutoring at Educational Resources and Counseling. Why don't you contact the Tutoring Center (865-5103) to find out the current tutoring schedule?
• Counselors at Educational Resources and Counseling can help you improve your time management skills.
• Did you know Educational Resources and Counseling staff can help you develop better study strategies, including note-taking and test-taking skills?
• The small library at Educational Resources and Counseling has books and audio and video tapes on many subjects, including test-taking skills, college success strategies and stress management.
  

Undecided about Major or Career/Lack of Future Direction

If you are undecided about your major and/or career, Educational Resources and Counseling's career tests may help you generate ideas or clarify goals.

Personal Problems

It may help to talk with a mental health professional at Educational Resources and Counseling about the things that are bothering you. Did you know that counseling is confidential?

Very Serious Personal Problems or Crises

I'm worried about you because you seem so distressed. I'd like to call Educational Resources and Counseling to make an emergency appointment for you to be seen as soon as possible, okay?