If in your work you interact with students and colleagues and observe some of the behaviors identified below, we encourage you to refer these individuals to the Counseling Center:

• Statements reflecting hopelessness or helplessness
• Marked anxiety
• Extreme self-dissatisfaction
• Significant change in behavior (for example, a good student’s grades drop sharply, class attendance becomes erratic, assignments are not completed, and appearance changes)
• Significant drop in energy or enthusiasm
• Isolation from friends and family
• Comments about ending one’s life
• Other unusual behaviors including: overly talktive, rapid speech, extreme excitation, tremors, excessive lethargy, confusion, slurred speech, excessive weight loss/gain 

We are often asked how one can effectively and respectfully recommend counseling to someone.  While there is no one right way to do so, here are some suggestions for how to approach an individual you are concerned about:

“You seem very upset; why don’t you call the Counseling Center and set up a meeting to talk about this with one of the counselors?”

“Counseling is very helpful for people who feel the way you do.  You can call the Counseling Center right now from my office and make an appointment.”

“Life isn’t meant to be lived feeling so low (confused, unhappy, bad, etc.). A counselor can help.  Why don’t you call for an appointment at the Counseling Center?”