Dealing with Troubled or Troubling Students - Stephen F. Austin ...

Frequently Asked Questions
What can can I I do do for for a student in in distress?
Arrange to to talk talk with with the the student outside of of class
time time and and express your your concerns in in terms of of
specific behaviors.
Listen to to thoughts and and feelings in in a
non-judgmental way way and and use use direct but but
non-threatening terms. It It is is better to to state state your your
concern directly than than to to ignore the the behaviors.
Take all all suicidal/homicidal expressions seriously
and and seek seek immediate help help from from the the University
Police Department.
Tell Tell students that that free free and and confidential
counseling services are are available and and that that
seeking help help is is a sign sign of of strength.
Make the the appropriate referral(s). Students
should make their their own own appointments if if possible.
You You could offer offer to to walk walk them them to to the the appropriate
office or or allow them to to use use your your phone to to
schedule an an immediate appointment.
Follow-up is is an an important part part of of the the process.
Check with with students later later to to find find out out how how they they
are are progressing and and if if they they followed through with with
the the referral.*
How How do do I I address inappropriate behavior that that may may
be be related to to a student in in distress?
Clearly establish classroom behavioral
expectations in in your your syllabus and and address
behavioral problems accordingly.
If If a student expresses a direct threat to to
themselves or or others, or or acts acts in in a highly
irrational or or disruptive way, way, call call SFA SFA University
Police Department immediately at at (936) 468- 468-
2608. In In case case of of an an emergency, dial dial 911 911 from from
any any campus phone.
Behavioral issues and and classroom disruptions,
even even those related to to mental health, can can be be
referred to to the the Office of of Student Rights and and Responsibilities.
When appropriate, the the referral
may may result in in disciplinary sanctions.*
I’ve I’ve heard about FERPA and and HIPAA. Should I I be be
Re-
concerned about issues of of confidentiality when
assisting a distressed student?
While employees can can only only share student
information within the the limits of of the the law, law, issues of of
confidentiality should not not be be a deterrent to to
talking with with a student about your your concerns.
You You may may always contact the the Office of of the the Dean
of of Student Affairs with with any any questions you you may may
have have about confidentiality or or student rights.*
FOR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
The Office of of the the
Dean of of Student Affairs
Adam Peck, Ph.D., Dean
P.O. Box 13066 SFA
Nacogdoches, TX TX 75962
Ph: (936) 468-7249
Email: Peckae@sfasu.edu
*Thank *Thank you you to to Texas Texas Tech Tech University University for for their their permission permission
to to use use material material from from their their publication, publication, “Managing “Managing
Distressed Distressed Students: Students: A Guide Guide for for Faculty Faculty and and Staff.” Staff.”
The Office of the
Dean of Student Affairs
Stephen F. Austin State University
Dealing with Troubled or
Troubling Students: A
Guide for Faculty and Staff
College can be be a challenging time for for a number
of of reasons. Whether it it is is looming deadlines,
financial worries or or the the strains of of managing
interpersonal and romantic relationships,
students are often under considerable pressure.
While campus safety and the the wellbeing of of SFA
students is is everyone’s responsibility, the the
departments within Student Affairs have a
number of of resources that are dedicated to to
assisting students in in managing these often
challenging and complicated times.
This pamphlet is is designed to to better inform you
about the the resources available to to students who
may need help. By By working together, we we can
provide students with the the tools they need to to be be
successful here at at SFA.

The College Mental Health Challenge
A recent survey conducted by the American College Health Association
found that 78 percent of college students reported having felt very sad at
least once within the preceding 12 months. Forty-two percent felt so
depressed it was difficult to function, 9.4 percent had seriously considered
attempting suicide, and 1.4 percent had attempted suicide. Most experts
agree that a personal approach is the best intervention strategy. Often,
faculty and staff do not feel adequately trained for these situations. If you
notice signs of distress in a student, strongly encourage that student to
seek professional help and demonstrate a personal interest to ensure
action is taken.
Also Remember:
• Don’t let FERPA inhibit you from
sharing information with other
employees who have a
legitimate need to know about a
student’s behavior.
• Carefully consider and be
sensitive to cultural issues.
Resources Available
COUNSELING SERVICES
Phone: (936) 468-2401
Location: Rusk 332
Free and confidential counseling
services are provided to all students.
Consultation is available for faculty
and staff regarding crises or other
student concerns. In addition, a
counselor is on call 24 hours per day
and 7 days per week. To reach a
counselor during regular business
hours, call the number above. For
after-hours emergencies, call
University Police at (936) 468-2608.
OFFICE OF STUDENT RIGHTS
AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Phone: (936) 468-2703
Location: Rusk 315
This office coordinates with the
University Police Department to
investigate incidents and adjudicate
Code of Conduct complaints if alleged
offenders are Stephen F. Austin State
University students.
Additional information is available at:
http://www.sfasu.edu/judicial.
• Encourage students to use the
FREE and confidential counseling
services on campus.
• Deal with classroom management
issues immediately and directly.
• Report threatening or unusual
behavior to the Dean of Student Affairs.
THE OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Phone: (936) 468-7249
Location: SC 3.105
The Office of the Dean of Student
Affairs works as a clearinghouse
for the student services within the
Division of University Affairs.
Faculty and staff should feel free to
consult on any matters involving
wellbeing, success and student
privacy.
BEHAVIORAL INTERVEN-
TION TEAM (BIT)
Phone: (936) 468-7249
The BIT is charged with
following up on student
behavior which is a cause of
concern to anyone in the
university community. Each
case is evaluated with a focus
on the behavior that the
student is presenting. The
group makes recommendations
to the Dean of Student Affairs
for dealing with specific
behavioral issues. More
serious cases may be referred
to the Psychological Review
Board for assessment. This
group consists of licensed
counselors and medical
doctors.
To refer a case to the BIT,
contact the Office of the Dean
of Student Affairs at
(936) 468-7249. After-hours
contact should be made
through the University Police
Department at (936) 468-2608
DISABILITY SERVICES
Phone: (936) 468-3004
Location: HSTC 325
Sometimes students’ mental
health issues can impact their
ability to succeed in their
academic pursuits at the
university. Disability Services
can provide students with
disabilities accommodations
inside and outside the
classroom.
HEALTH CLINIC
Phone: (936) 468-4008
Location: The Intersection of
Raguet and East College
The health clinic is a primary
care clinic staffed with licensed
physicians and nurses that
provide care for illnesses and
injuries, as well as mental
health issues.
UNIVERSITY POLICE (UPD)
Phone: (936) 468-2608.
Location: 232 E. College Street
UPD should be the first point of
contact for any emergency situations
or violations of the law.
In case of emergency, dial 911
from any campus phone.
Signs of
Student Distress
•Depressed mood &
lethargy
•Hyperactivity or rapid
speech
•Unexplained crying,
irritability, anxiety, anger
•Lowering of academic
performance, changes
in attendance or
participation, decreased
ability to concentrate
•Changes in personal
hygiene, dress, appetite
•Strange behavior
indicating loss of contact
with reality
•Talking or writing about
suicide or homicide
(especially if the student
has a specific plan of
action).
•Highly disruptive
behavior (e.g., hostility,
aggression and violence)
•Increased drug and
alcohol use*
Office of the
Dean of Student Affairs