Faculty Guide: When and how to refer

When Should I Refer?

The following are possible scenarios when it would be appropriate to refer a student.

1. Student doing poorly, you suspect poor study habits
2. Student approaches you to confide personal issues
3. Student doesn't approach you, but you feel concerned (Change in performance, appearance, attendance, and/or mood.)
4. Suicidal student
5. Erratic/hostile student (risk to self and/or others)

What approach should I take when referring a student to Counselling Services?

Your approach will depend on the perceived level of distress and risk; the more imminent the level of risk to self and others, the more directive your role.

• Your approach will depend on the perceived level of distress and risk; the more imminent the level of risk to self and others, the more directive your role (examples of a directive role: staying physically present with the student until a warm hand off is possible, escorting the student to Counselling Services, or involving security if necessary)
• Inform the student of our services relevant to their circumstances
• Reassure the student of our services and competence
• Encourage the student to come to Counselling Services on his/her own
• A more directive role is required if harm to self or others is suspected
• Call or email us at any time to consult

What should I say to a distressed student?

Explain what you see:

• "I have noticed that your grades and involvement in class have dropped."
• "You appear distant and distracted lately."
• "You have missed a lot of classes. Is everything okay?"

Express concern:

• "I am concerned about you."
• "I care about you and want to see you get the support you need."
• "I am worried about your academic performance and really want to see you succeed."

Directive approach:

• "Until I know you are safe, I feel very concerned about you leaving my office with a safety plan of some kind in place."
• "I can walk with you to Counselling now."
• "Can we call Counselling Services together and see what our options are to have you see someone as soon as possible?"

There are a few ways to connect a student to us when they are in distress :

1. Send an email to counselling.services@uleth.ca and CC the student in the email. You can introduce yourself and the student stating they identified wanting support in connecting with Counselling Services. From there, we will ‘reply all’ and send our digital forms and follow up steps a student can take to proceed with counselling.
2. Inform the student of Walk-in Wednesdays. They must visit counselling services in the morning to guarantee an appointment sometime throughout the day. *Walk-in Wednesdays appointments are for new clients, not those who are actively seeing a counsellor with us.  
3. .You can walk a student down to Counselling Services and advocate with them to request an appointment. *We always prioritize students who are referred to us from staff/Faculty

Below is our typical steps to service for students