Please see Page 4 of the Helping Students in Distress Guide.
OFFERING SUPPORT: NON-URGENT SITUATIONS
If you are required to offer extra assistance to a student it is important to be mindful of your competence and capabilities, as well as the boundaries of your role.
The majority of situations are non-urgent, although it may seem that the student is in distress or visibly upset.
Offering the student your time for a supportive discussion, and informing them of the supports available can make a big difference.
The Disability and Wellbeing Service offers a confidential consultation service to all staff who may wish to discuss their concerns about students in difficulty or distress.
The student may be displaying signs of emotional distress due to some of the following situations:
Depressed
Anxious
Having problems
Having health issues
Generally stressed with relationships
Homesick
Lonely and isolated
Bereaved
Self-esteem
Money problems
However, these situations should NOT be deemed urgent if you perceive no immediate risk to the student or others.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Listen
Give the student time to talk
Understand the situation from their point of view
Be sympathetic and not dismissive
Help the student to feel supported
Make appropriate referrals
WHAT YOU CAN’T DO
Solve all the student’s problems
Take responsibility for their emotional state or actions
Please see Page 5 of the Helping Students in Distress Guide.
OFFERING SUPPORT: URGENT SITUATIONS
A situation may be URGENT if:
You believe the student may be at risk of harming themselves or others. You are concerned for one or more of the following reasons. The student:
May be at risk of serious self-harm
Has completely stopped functioning
Is violent or threatening violence to people or property
Seems very disorientated and out of touch with reality
Expresses suicidal thoughts/plans
Whether the student will accept help or not, in all situations of medical emergency where there is an immediate risk to the student’s life, i.e. overdose of drugs, serious self-harm, physical emergency:
Contact Security Services on 2222 for help in contacting emergency services.