Resources for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff members are a first line of contact for students at Indiana Wesleyan University. Many times, a student will begin to exhibit signs of psychological distress in settings observable by their professors, resident directors, coaches, advisors, mentors, and university office staff. These indications of distress may come in face to face conversations, may be seen in behavioral or performance changes, or may be indicated in assignment content (papers, speeches, etc.).

The Aldersgate Center counseling staff is committed to serving as a resource for faculty and staff when they are working with students in distress. Please feel free to call The Center or e-mail a counselor (click on names below) with any questions that you might have.

If the students are exhibiting or expressing concerns and issues that are beyond your training and comfort level, refer them to our office for an appointment (ext. 2257). If they are expressing thoughts of hurting themselves or others, contact our office or Student Development (ext. 2201) immediately. If the contact is after the hours of Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or if the situation warrants, call the Campus Police at 765-677-4911.

• When you're approached.
• Dramatic change in student performance.
• Emotional outbursts.
• Pattern of sleeping in class.
• Major life trauma.
• Talk of suicide, hopelessness and despair.
• Change in personal hygiene.
• Complaints from other students.
• Repeated requests for extensions or special considerations.
• Disjointed thoughts.
• Bizarre/inappropriate behavior.
• Allusions to self-harm or harm of others in papers or projects.

      Do's - To Communicate Effectively with Distressed Students

• Ask to speak to them privately.
• Acknowledge emotional state and content.
• Show interest in what they're saying.
• Let them know you want to help.
• Take any mention of suicide or self-harm very seriously.
• Be direct but non-judgmental.
• Take students at their word when they speak about their distress level.

       Don'ts - To Communicate Effectively with Distressed Students

• Minimize the situation or depth of feeling.
• Avoid asking the person if they are so depressed or sad that they want to hurt themselves.
• Over commit yourself and not be able to deliver on promises.
• Ignore your limitations.
• Offer to pray too quickly as students may feel cut off or shamed.

• Your advice goes unheeded and the student's problem is recurrent.
• You have a sinking, helpless feeling.
• You identify too closely with the problem.
• When talk of self-harm occurs.
• Delusions seem present.
• Talk of abuse of children or elderly.
• Fear of harm by others.

• Don't wait until your concerns about the student are critical.
• Speak with the student openly and honestly.
• Share with the student your observations of the behavior(s) that lead you to conclude a referral is advisable.
• Couch your comments in concern, not criticism.
• Encourage student's response to your referral suggestion.
• Respect the student's right to reject counseling or take some time to think about it (unless there is talk of suicide).
• Encourage the student to contact The Aldersgate Center directly. (x2257)
• When concerns are critical, walk students over to Aldersgate or call Campus Police.

• When suicidal/homicidal thoughts are present.
• When delusional thoughts are present.
• When talk of abuse involving students, minors, or elderly persons occur.
• When student appear confused, uncertain, afraid.

• Call ext. 2257 -- The Aldersgate Center -- Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• E-mail one of the counselors:
     Scott Erny, scott.erny@indwes.edu
     Jennie Conrad, jennie.conrad@indwes.edu
     Leann Martens, leann.martens@indwes.edu
     Brandon Bugos, brandon.bugos@indwes.edu
  
• Call students' RDs after hours for on-campus students.
• Call campus police for off-campus students (x4911)
• In an emergency always call campus police first.
• Always let us know if there has been a suicide attempt/hospitalization for mental health issues.

• Know your boundaries.
• Involve yourself only as far as you are willing to go.
• Don't make promises you can't keep.
• Err on the side of caution by referring the student to a counselor.

Aldersgate Counseling Service Faculty Presentation (Power Point)