How to Help Others

These resources are designed to assist faculty, staff, parents, and concerned others with helping students who may be struggling with mental health issues. Also visit our Mental Health Quick Resource List for 24/7 hotlines, campus resources.

Recognize Students In Distress

Listed below are some possible warning signs of distress.

  • a change in appearance (e.g., poor hygiene, weight gain/loss)
  • a drop in GPA or academic performance from the previous semester, especially for students who generally perform above average
  • increased irritability or agitation
  • consistently inappropriate or illogical questions
  • distracted or preoccupied thought processes
  • withdrawal from social interactions with peers, family, and significant others, frequent class absences, and expressions of loneliness
  • fearful responses, such as avoidance or apprehension about being alone
  • a recent loss or other crisis (e.g., relationship breakup, death of a friend/family, academic failure, physical illness, sexual assault, bullying)
  • expressions of hopelessness (statements such as "there's no use trying" or "what's the point?")
  • indirect statements or written essays about death or suicide ("I want to disappear," "there's no way out" or "I can't go on") as well as more direct suicidal statements ("I might kill myself")
Report Information about Students of Concern

The CARE(S) Team at Geneseo is designed to discuss students who are concerning to members of the Geneseo community. CARE stands for Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation. The Dean of Students offers specific information about how to share information about Students of Concern.

Improve your Helping Skills

The resources below will assist you in having more helpful interactions with those in distress or otherwise in need of assistance.

  • Kognito is a free program for the Geneseo community.  It is a virtual interactive course to teach skills and provide practice opportunities for difficult conversations.
  • Conversation Starters are quick suggestions for starting difficult conversations from Seize the Awkward.
  • Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a training that teaches how to recognize signs of emotional distress or thoughts of suicide. This program is currently being offered FREE from New York state for members of the SUNY community (use the organizational code "SUNY" to set up your account).

Here are some suggestions for how to talk to a student experiencing distress:

  • Talk to the student in private. Express your concern for the student in a direct, manner, focusing on the specific behaviors which are causing your concern.
  • Listen and ask open-ended questions; avoid criticizing or sounding judgmental. Do not agree to keep secrets - be clear that you may need to seek additional assistance.
  • Discuss the option of counseling. Remember that the student has the right to accept, think over, or refuse your recommendations. See more information under "Refer to Counseling Services" below.
Refer to and Consult with Counseling Services
  • Normalize the process of pursuing counseling. This may be especially helpful for students whose cultural backgrounds may include differing views of mental health treatment.
  • Acknowledge and validate the student's fears and concerns about seeking help. Some may feel that seeking mental health treatment is a sign of failure. Let the student know that it takes considerable courage to acknowledge one's limitations and to ask for assistance.
  • Remind the student about confidentiality. Information shared with Counseling Services is kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to parents, faculty, or other college departments without the student's written permission.
  • Encourage the student to request an appointment. Students can use our online form at myhealth.geneseo.edu. For urgent needs, students can walk into the Lauderdale Health Services building between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (closed 12-1 p.m.).

For additional questions or concerns, call our office at 585-245-5716 and ask to speak with a counselor. Counseling Services has licensed counselors available to provide consultation to the Geneseo community, including students, faculty, and staff. We are also available to consult with parents, local providers, students from other colleges and universities, and others as pertaining to Geneseo students.

Suggest Additional Resources

While it is important to care about the emotional wellbeing of students, we cannot make their decisions for them, and counseling is always a personal choice. Yet you can play a crucial role in assisting a student who is ambivalent about seeking professional help.

  • Encourage the student to visit our website as a means to become familiar with the services we offer.
  • Provide information and resources. 
Incorporate Mindfulness into Classes (for Faculty)

One of our counselors, Dr. Beth Cholette, is both a licensed psychologist (Ph.D.) and a registered yoga teacher (RYT).  She teaches yoga on campus and can bring instruction on breathing, meditation, and/or yoga to your classroom.  Review Dr. Beth's Mind-Body and contact Beth if you would like to arrange a program or to incorporate mindfulness into your teaching.

The Geneseo Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) offers Resources for Faculty & Staff Well-being, including a Wellbeing Wednesday archive.

Handouts/Further Reading

From Counseling Services:

From the JED Foundation:

Kognito graphic with text "Are You Worried About A Student?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Pages
Coping with Tragic Events
Counseling Services