Pdf Version (1333Kb) - Quality Assurance - University of Stirling

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What you should do if the situation does NOT require immediate action It is NOT urgent if: There is no immediate risk to the student, or others, although the student may be: • Depressed, anxious, generally stressed • Having problems with relationships • Bereaved • Suffering from low self-esteem • Homesick, lonely and isolated • Having unexplained study or money problems If the student will accept help If the student will not accept help Decide who is the best person to help If you feel you could help the student you must ensure that You have the time and/or skill It does not conflict with your role You are able to: Listen to the student’s concerns Offer practical advice Provide reassurance Show your concern by following up your conversation at another time If you feel someone else should help the student: Are you clear what the student needs? If so, refer directly If you are unsure then seek further advice from a colleague or speak to the Student Counselling & Wellbeing Service You can make it clear that you will help if the student changes his or her mind Seek advice from Student Development and Support Services You can monitor the situation You should alert a member of the Departmental advising team, or other relevant person, about continuing concerns In all situations • Make sure that you debrief by talking the situation through with a colleague or the Student Counselling & Wellbeing Service. • You should make a record of the conversation signed by both you and the student. Failing that, record your concerns and inform the appropriate person. 14
If a Student Does Not Want to Talk about their Problem It may be extremely difficult to help someone with a problem unless they are ready to admit they have one. If they are not ready to accept help or to talk about their problems, do not ask insensitive or intrusive questions. Always respect the right of the person if they do not wish to discuss things. Offer an open invitation to them to come back and talk in the future. Speak to someone in a specialist support service (see page 19). If the person has not given consent to talk to anyone, there is no need to mention their name when asking for advice; this preserves confidentiality. Handling a Crisis Most of the time the steps listed above are sufficient. Occasionally, however, individuals may reach a point of crisis. However, it is important to emphasise two points: • people experiencing mental health problems are very rarely violent towards others; • crisis situations are extremely rare. A crisis situation occurs when a person’s feelings are beyond their control. These emotions might then express themselves in a number of ways, for example through self-harm, talking about suicide or having persistent suicidal thoughts. However, many crises occur in private rather than in public. In all crisis situations, assuring your safety and that of others, including the person involved, is paramount. To this end, remain calm and adopt a non-threatening approach (in most cases calm behaviour by others is all that is required). If there are other people present, take appropriate steps to ensure privacy, safety and respect. Some situations can be very frightening and distressing. If you do not feel confident to approach the person, then go and get help (see page 16 & 17). Always explain your actions before you act and continue to reassure the person, without being patronising, about what is happening. Take threats of suicide or self-harm seriously – it is a myth that ‘those who talk about it don’t do it’. And finally, ensure that appropriate people are contacted. If the person in distress has become severely disorientated or dangerous to themselves or others it may be necessary to call a GP, the local hospital accident and emergency service, the university’s security or, if necessary the police. 15
Page 1 and 2: Mental Health & Wellbeing: Supporti
Page 3 and 4: Acknowledgements The University wis
Page 5 and 6: Legal Framework The University is r
Page 7 and 8: Positive mental health means having
Page 9 and 10: If things are going well and the pe
Page 11 and 12: What can you do to help? It is esse
Page 13: How do you know there is a problem?
Page 17 and 18: External Support, Mental Health Ser
Page 19 and 20: Contact us: Information & Advice Ce
Page 21 and 22: The welfare team offers support, gu
Page 23 and 24: Black Students’ Officer The Black
Page 25 and 26: Stirling and the Surrounding Area C
Page 27 and 28: On-line Information Name Web Addres
Page 29 and 30: Bibliography AMOSSHE, Responding to
Page 31 and 32: Additional Contact No’s _________

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