How to Respond in a crisis

HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN EMERGENCY/CRISIS
Increased Stress
College often brings a higher level of stress – academic, relationships, family, work.  While most students are capable of handling stress, some find that even a small ‘crisis’ event can trigger a need for intervention.
 
Some tips on identifying an urgent need
Here are some behaviors that may indicate the need for intervention of a professional counselor:
 
  •     Serious grade problems or a change from consistently good grades to poor performance
  •     Excessive absences
  •     Unusual or exaggerated emotional responses inappropriate to the situation
  •     A depressed mood; being excessively active and/or talkative; marked change in personal hygiene;  falling asleep inappropriately
 
The following behaviors are typically present in persons in extreme crisis and in need of immediate professional care:
 
  •     highly disruptive behavior
  •     inability to communicate clearly, disjointed thoughts, slurred speech
  •     loss of contact with reality
  •     overtly suicidal thoughts
  •     homicidal threats
 
How to respond
 
  •     Talk privately
  •     Describe the behavior that concerns you
  •     Be a good listener and communicate understanding of both thoughts and feelings
  •     Avoid judgments or criticism
  •     Regard the information as confidential
 
When to refer
 
  •     When you don’t feel qualified to handle the problem
  •     When the person is reluctant to discuss the problem with you
  •     When you feel you are overwhelmed and stressed yourself
 
Remember: Except in situations where there is danger present (to the individual or someone else), the decision to accept or reject a referral is up to the individual.
 
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