Student Counseling Center: Faculty and Staff Info
A Guide for Faculty/Staff at Pacific University
The college years can be stressful for students. Students may experience crises if their levels of stress exceed their coping resources. As a faculty /staff member, you can assist students by referring them to appropriate sources of help. The following information will provide you with some guidance in this process.
What to look for:
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Personal/Interpersonal Indicators: |
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Physical Indicators: |
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Safety Risk Indicators: |
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What You Can Do:
- Call and consult a staff member at the Student Counseling Center, 352-2191, 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday. Indicate that you are faculty/staff calling to discuss a student concern. Your call will be returned as soon as possible, if a counselor is not immediately available.
- Discuss your concerns directly with the student and listen for her/his responses. Talking about a concern does not make it worse. It may be the first step in addressing the student’s issues.
- Encourage the student to make a counseling appointment at the Student Counseling Center. While at peak times during the semester, there may be a 1-2 week wait for available appointments, the counseling staff will respond to emergencies on a same day basis as quickly as possible.
- For urgent or emergency student mental health issues:
- If there is an immediate threat of harm to self or others, contact Campus Public Safety at 352-2230 or call 911.
- If there is no immediate threat of harm to self or others, contact the Student Counseling Center, 352-2191, for assistance and further directions. The first available counselor will speak with you.
- After hours, call the Washington County Crisis Line, a 24-hour crisis line at 503-291-9111. This 24-hour crisis line provides after hours coverage for the Pacific community and provides valuable assistance to the student, or the faculty/staff member assisting the student.
Issues to Consider:
- Avoid making promises of confidentiality. It may put the student or others at risk if you do, particularly if a student represents a safety risk to himself or herself.
- You do not have to take on the role of a counselor. You need only notice, care, and refer. Avoid acting outside the scope of your relationship with the student.
- Even if you feel comfortable discussing a problem with a student, it may be beneficial to consult with a staff member at the Student Counseling Center.
- There are professional services on and off campus. None of us has to go it alone!
