How Staff & Faculty Can Help

As faculty or staff, you are someone who will have regular contact with students and will be able to recognize when a student is not doing well.  If you have noticed signs of distress and are concerned for a student, here are some ways that you can help:

General Suggestions

• Talk to the student in private unless the student requests the presence of another person
• Respect the privacy of the student but do not promise confidentiality as you may be mandated to report
• Respect the student's values and beliefs, and avoid criticizing or sounding judgmental
• Know your personal limits as a helper—you may not feel comfortable trying to help a student cope with a particular problem (and that’s okay), but you could help them get connected with a department which can provide the necessary services

Providing Support

• You can start the conversation by naming what you have noticed and expressing care and concern (e.g. “I’ve noticed that you have been absent from class a lot and you haven’t been turning in assignments.  I’m worried that you’re not doing okay”)   
• Listen to their concerns without judgment, interrupting, or advice-giving (unless it is requested)
• Ask questions to both help you understand their experience and convey that you care 
• The simplest way of helping can be by providing an ear and being present with the student 
• Try to be encouraging and hopeful, but not minimizing of their experience
• Normalize that it is a positive sign to seek help when they need it
• Ask directly if the student is thinking about harming themselves if you are concerned that they are thinking this (e.g. “Sometimes when people feel really down and things aren’t going well, they might think about suicide.  I’m wondering if you’re having thoughts of suicide?”)
• Avoid telling them how they should feel, placing blame, or focusing on “fixing” the problem
• Before moving on to potential solutions or making a referral, make sure to give them space to “just talk”
• Be clear that there are limits to your support and that professional help is available