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Recognizing & Referring Students in Difficulty

Learn more about how to support students in difficulty, referrals to resources, and tips for taking care of yourself. This is a companion document for faculty, instructors, staff, and TA/TMs to the 間眅埶AV Supporting Students in Distress Response Guide.

Consult with the Office of Student Support, Rights & Responsibilities (SSRR): At any point you can to reach out to SSRR to consult with the office when concerns about a students safety, well-being or impact upon others is present. They will work with you to develop a way to approach or respond. 

Purpose

  1. Recognize indicators of distress and how they may show up differently for each person
  2. Describe the process and strategies for referring a student to support
  3. Understand your role and shared responsibility for providing a supportive response to students in distress that aims to be humanizing, dignifying, and empowering

Recognizing Distress

Distress is a noticeable change in the way an individual usually thinks, feels, responds, and behaves.

Drop in grades, participation, and/or attendance

Emotional reactivity or irritability

Isolation or withdrawal from usual interactions

Open conflict with others

Frequent requests to talk or refusing to talk

Drastic behaviour or mood change

Changes in personal hygiene suggesting neglect

All of the above could be signs of distress if you notice a sudden or gradual shift in the way someone usually behaves or responds. We all experience and show signs of distress differently.

Supporting Students in Difficulty or Distress

Your role as a faculty, instructor, staff member, or TA/TM in a situation where a student is in distress includes four steps: Recognize, Check-in, Refer, Follow-up.

"Ive noticed you havent been attending class regularly, are you okay?"

1. Recognize

Recognize the signs that a student may be struggling with something. We all show signs and indicators of being in distress differently. If youre unsure about what a student has said or think it would be helpful to consult with someone, there are resources here to support you.

"That sounds so tough, I am sorry to hear you are going through such a hard time."

2. Check-in

Listen in an open, caring and non-judgmental way when asking open-ended questions. Creating a space where the person sharing feels comfortable and safe is important. Try to empathize with the person and how they feel.

"I think it may be helpful to speak to someone at Health & Counselling. How about we call them together and get an appointment set up?"

3. Refer

After listening, paraphrase what you may have heard from the other person. Offer resources/referrals as needed and work towards finding long-term support. Remember, you do not need to solve their problems or diagnose them.

"Id really like to hear how things are going with you. Would you feel comfortable checking back?"

4. Follow up

Follow-up with the individual after some time has passed to ask them how they are doing and if they have had a chance to connect with a formal resource. If they have not, that is ok! Encourage them to reach out again and ask if there is anything you can do to make the connection easier.

Important Note about Suicide

Research shows that 10% of 間眅埶AV students consider suicide, and about 2% attempt suicide every year. Hopelessness, emotional pain, and burdensomeness are some of the most common reasons people consider suicide.

Warning Signs

Warning signs are indicators that a person may be considering suicide or planning a suicide attempt.
These include:

  • Seeking access to means
  • Talking about death/dying or joking about suicide
  • Giving away possessions.

Protective Factors

Protective factors include:

  • Access to healthcare
  • Connectedness
  • Life skills
  • Self-esteem and purpose/meaning in life
  • Future planning
  • Cultural/religious/personal beliefs that discourage suicide.

Action steps

If you are worried about someone:

  1. Ask them if they are considering suicide in a clear, direct, and confident manner. Are you thinking of killing yourself? is the recommended wording if you are unsure. Asking the question will not put ideas in their head.
  2. After asking, use good communication and active listening skills to give them space to talk about their distress
  3. Offer to help connect the person to someone who can help, and follow through
  4. It is not your responsibility to assess a persons risk of suicide; only trained professional staff can make that determination

For more information, check out these resources and/or workshop:

Consulting Campus Resources

You could be one of several people to support a student in distress - you are not expected to do this by yourself. There are people and services on campuses to assist you in supporting with students in distress. The following resources are available for determining the seriousness of the situation and how quickly it needs to be addressed, as well as determining a plan for responding.

Assess the situation

You can help by clarifying what help looks like and assuring people that services are confidential.

Urgent

If a person considering suicide is unable to keep themselves safe for any reason, this is an urgent referral and requires an immediate response (get them to help right away, call 911, and dont leave them alone).

Non-Urgent

If a person is confident in their short term safety, this is a non-urgent referral and the goal is to help get them connected to a mental health professional. Acknowledge that is the students choice to take the referral and reinforce that taking that step may help them reach positive change.

Non-emergency

For non-emergency situations where you are unsure about what a student has said or if you think it would be helpful to consult with someone, the following resources are available to you:

Health and Counselling Service

Connect with someone for advice on what to do. Refer to this Identity-Based Support webpage for additional resources you can refer students to.

Tel: 778-782-4615

Hours: 9:30 - 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday

My SSP

Receive 24/7 assistance to support a student.

Tel: 778-782-9456 or 778-782-6601

Email: ssrr@sfu.ca

Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office

Reach out to the Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office (SVPSO)for confidential support, information, and advice about sexual violence.

Tel: 778-782-7233

Email: sv-support@sfu.ca

Office of Student Support, Rights, and Responsibilities

Share your concern with someone at the Office of Student Support, Rights, and Responsibilities who can identify the appropriate type of support for the student.

Emergency

For emergency situations where you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 and if at 間眅埶AV also call Campus Public Safety at 778-782-4500 to help direct emergency services. Contact to provide an update and a Case Manager will reach out to the student to follow up.

Taking care of yourself

Supporting students who are experiencing personal challenges or difficulty can bear a lot of weight on the person offering support. It is important to prioritize your own well-being on an ongoing basis. Being well will also enable a person to be better able to support others.

Remember to take care of yourself

The following are a few reminders about boundaries and caring for yourself when you are in a helping role:

  • Assume responsibility for observing your personal limits, and being honest and clear about your limits with yourself and others. Your role is to listen and offer referrals, not to take on the role of a counsellor.
  • Consult with others if you are unsure at any stage
  • Dont impose your own values - ask for clarification rather than make assumptions
  • Avoid problem solving or making promises
  • Show respect and expect respect

If you have questions or additional needs about faculty or staff health and wellness, please contact: