How to Refer to Student Wellness Counseling Services

The mission of Student Wellness is to provide effective health and wellness programs and services, personal counseling and crisis intervention, psychiatric consultation, and alcohol and drug awareness and prevention programs that foster student academic and personal success.

Counseling Services are provided by Student Wellness to help promote student academic and personal success. We need your help to make the services we offer maximally effective. All students experience occasional difficulties coping with the challenges of life and health science education, and many come on their own initiative to Student Wellness for assistance in managing stress, life transitions, and other issues. In your unique position as a faculty, staff member, or fellow student you may be the first to recognize that personal difficulties are affecting a student's academic performance.

What's available through Student Wellness Counseling Services

We see students in individual, couple, and group counseling for a wide variety of concerns: depression, anxiety, loneliness, concerns about academic performance, eating disorders, relationship concerns, sexuality issues, suicidal feelings, psychotic behavior, etc.

It is important to note, however, that Student Wellness Counseling Services has a variety of other services which may be of use to UTMB students.

• Wellness series presentations offered at announced times, covering such areas as assertiveness training, overcoming procrastination, eating disorders, alcohol awareness, etc.
• Web based wellness series topics
• Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
• Medication management by the nurse practitioner

Please note that all counseling services are provided at no fee to UTMB students and and are completely confidential within the limits of Texas law (see our Confidentiality Policy ).

Referrals to Counseling

The decision to refer a student for counseling is first based upon your own observations, i.e., an individual who shows signs and symptoms of emotional, academic, or career choice difficulties. For example, you might notice yourself doing more "personal counseling" than academic or career advising. Or you might notice a student who has difficulty getting along with others, or is always alone.

Each of us experiences emotional problems in a different way, but some common indicators you might observe include:

• Nervousness, agitation, impaired speech
• High levels of irritability including undue aggressive or abrasive behavior expressed towards others
• Lack of energy
• Marked change in personal hygiene
• Bizarre or strange behavior
• Sadness, tearfulness
• Sleeplessness
• Frequent binge eating episodes or extreme loss of appetite
• Signs of alcohol or other drug use which impairs functioning
• Dependency, e.g., the student who hangs around your office or makes excessive appointments to see you
• Infrequent class attendance and inadequate effort put into the assignments
• Falling asleep in class
• References to hopelessness, helplessness, and/or suicide

How to make a referral

If you notice these warning signs, here's how you can make a referral for counseling. Tell the individual, in private and in a straightforward and matter-of-fact manner, of your concern. Be specific regarding the behavior patterns you have observed. Suggest that he/she consider talking with a counselor. If the student agrees, depending on your sense of urgency you may:

• Walk the individual to our offices for immediate contact (2.500 Rebecca Sealy Hospital ).
• Call us directly (Ext. 79508) or have the student call us from your office.
• Agree that the individual will walk over and call you when he/she arrives.
• Suggest that the individual call or come by to make an appointment.
• As appropriate, let the individual know that with permission you are willing to give the counselor information about the nature of the problem and the reason for the referral.
• Of course, the individual has the freedom to refuse a referral.

We can usually see a client the same day when necessary. If you are unsure about whether to refer, call us. Our counselors are always willing to discuss your concerns and possible courses of action.

If the student reacts as though you are implying he/she is "sick" or "disturbed", you might reassure him or her that counseling is used by many students who are having situational or temporary difficulties. Many students face normal developmental concerns due to insights they get about themselves as a result of their new experiences at UTMB. At times due to environmental pressures, students may feel acute anxiety, sadness, or depression. For these problems, as well as crises or developmental concerns, it is helpful to gain the perspective of an unbiased source. A counselor can help individuals understand their difficulties and cope more effectively with them. You might also remind the individual that Counseling Services are free of charge and completely confidential.

Confidentiality

Because communication between a counselor and a client is confidential, we cannot discuss a client's situation, or reveal that counseling is being received, without the client's written consent. If you wish follow-up information on someone you have referred, please ask that individual to provide us with permission to speak with you. If you do not hear from us, it is likely that permission has been denied.

Crisis or emergency situations

Occasionally a student may appear to be extremely upset or distraught. Crisis or emergency situations may involve an individual threatening or attempting suicide, posing a threat to self or others, or appearing unable to care for him/herself. If a student is acting in a troubling manner or seems to be losing control, there are several points to keep in mind.

• Remain calm. This may help the individual to control his or her emotions.
• If possible, offer a quiet place for the individual to talk, and listen to him or her with a considerate and helpful attitude.
• Be simple and direct. Try to convey your understanding of the problem, and respond honestly about whether you can help.
• Be firm. It can be helpful and important to set clear limits and provide a plan of action.
• Walk the individual to Student Wellness if you feel it is appropriate. Same day or immediate appointments are available in urgent situations.
• Call to speak with a counselor (Ext. 79508) if you need assistance or consultation. During evening and weekend hours contact our Healthcare Hotline at 1-800-917-8906.
• Any reference to a personal consideration or threat of suicide should be considered extremely serious, and a referral to counseling is strongly advised. If you feel the student presents a direct or immediate danger to self or others, and the situation is on campus, contact Campus Police (Ext. 21111). Off campus, call 911 or the Mental Health Deputies at 766-2324.

Services available to faculty and staff members

• We provide counseling services for students. We can provide consultation to faculty or staff regarding student related issues. The Employee Assistance Program provides counseling services for UTMB faculty and staff.
• Our clinical staff members are available to provide presentations to classes or groups on a variety of issues -- stress management, time management, assertiveness, and alcohol and other substance issues, etc. Give us a call or stop by our offices for information or to schedule a speaker.
• You are welcome to attend any workshop presentations we offer. We distribute flyers and post them around campus, we send out e-mail announcements, and we post upcoming offerings on our web site (see Wellness Series on our web site). Contact our office for current information.
• We provide brochures about many common concerns, and will provide copies to you upon request.

And a final note

We look forward to continued effective collaboration with faculty and staff to promote the retention, academic success and personal development of all UTMB and Galveston College healthcare professionals in training. Your understanding and support of students and the services we offer are important to their success.