Faculty and Staff Counseling Services
If you have any concerns, please contact (203) 773-8149 or counseling@albertus.edu.
Recognizing a Student in Distress
Faculty and staff are an important component in recognizing students that are having difficulties during the academic year. Albertus Magnus students have many challenges to cope with during their college experience. The students are not only learning how to manage academic expectations but are also dealing with a variety of stressors. Some of these stressors are time management, expectations of their athletic team, interpersonal relationships, deciding a major, increasing overall independence, and learning how live away from home.
These daily stressors can contribute to increase in poor academic performance, roommate difficulties, depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol use, and interpersonal conflict. The staff and faculty’s ability to recognize and address concerns about a student are significant to helping the student get the help they need and to be successful at Albertus Magnus College.
How to Identify a Student in Distress
Below are some warning signs but is not an exclusive list; if you have any concerns please contact counseling@albertus.edu.
- Decrease in academic performance
- Missed assignments or classes
- Difficulties in concentrating in class
- Change in mood towards the class (lack of enthusiasm, increase in agitation, etc.)
- Frequently seeking academic accommodations (extension in classroom assignments, postponed exams and assignments, etc.)
- Change in hygiene
- Falling asleep in class or appearing consistently tired
- Change in weight
- Appearing intoxicated in class
- Change in energy
- Unexplainable bruises, burns, or cuts
- Increase in tearfulness in class
- Increase in agitation
- Withdrawn
- Expressing feelings of helplessness to staff, teacher, or in writing assignments
- Peer expressing concerns about another student
- Indirect or direct statements in regards to suicidal or homicidal ideations, family conflict, or other areas of concerns
- Talk the student in private.
- Talk in a clear and calm voice and state your reason for concern.
- Listen carefully to what the student says in a nonjudgmental and caring manner.
- Do not criticize or argue with the student.
- Encourage the student to seek out counselor on or off campus. Remind the student that counseling on campus is free and confidential.
- Offer walking with the student to the counselor’s office in order to help them set up an appointment.
- Check back with the student on a regular bases to demonstrate your interest.
Counseling is always a personal choice. If the student refuses services but you continue to be uncomfortable about the student’s safety, please call the counselor at (203) 773-8149 or at counseling@albertus.edu to discuss your concerns. If you are concerned about a student's personal safety or someone else's safety, please contact campus security immediately at (203) 507-5204 or call 911.