College Mental Health &
Supporting Students in Distress
Matthew T. Ouimet, NCC, LPC
Counseling Services
Overview

Introductions

What is mental health? What causes mental health
conditions?

College students and mental health

Understanding the millennial student

Your role as a faculty or staff member

How to help

Resources to help you
What is mental health?
“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and
social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It
also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to
others, and make choices. Mental health is important at
every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence
through adulthood.”
- MentalHealth.Gov
What causes mental health conditions?
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your
thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to
mental health problems, including:

Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry

Environmental factors and life experiences, such as trauma or abuse

Family history of mental health problems
MentalHealth.Gov
College stressors that can
impact mental health

Relationship breakups

Body image concerns

Homesickness

Drug and alcohol use

Peer Pressure

Poor diet and lack of exercise

Loneliness

Sexual identity

Academic pressure

Hazing

Future career stress


Financial issues
Bullying
Veteran status

Lack of sleep


Taking on too much

Death

Over-involved

Divorce
Mental Health Does Matter:
Prevalence on College Campuses
Colleges across the country have reported large
increases in enrollment [or at least increasing
access for students]. At the same time, college
counseling centers have also observed an increase in
the prevalence and severity of mental health issues
experienced by students and an increase in the
number of students taking psychotropic
medications.
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental Health Does Matter:
Prevalence on College Campuses
75% of lifetime cases of mental health conditions begin by age 24.
1 out of 4 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable
mental illness. (8,500 X .25 = 2,125 undergrads at SCSU)
More than 11 %
of college students have been diagnosed or treated for
anxiety in the past year.
More than 10 %
reported being diagnosed or treated for depression.
Mental Health Does Matter:
Prevalence on College Campuses
More than 40 %
of college students have felt more than an average
amount of stress within the past 12 months.
More than 80 %
of college students felt overwhelmed by all they had
to do in the past year and…
45 % have felt things were hopeless.
Almost 73 % of students living with a mental health condition
experienced a mental health crisis on campus.
Yet,
34.2 %
reported that their college did not know about their crisis.
http://www2.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Find_Support/NAMI_on_Campus1/Learn_About_The_Issue/Learn_About_The_Issue.htm
Mental Health and Academic Success

64 percent of young adults who
are no longer in college are not
attending college because of a
mental health related reason.
Depression, bipolar disorder and
posttraumatic stress disorder are
the primary diagnoses of these
young adults.

31 percent of college students
have felt so depressed in the past
year that it was difficult to
function and more than 50
percent have felt overwhelming
anxiety, making it hard to succeed
academically.
The Millennial College Student
Key Characteristics
1.
Special- Rewards for participation
2.
Sheltered- Highly structured, limited chances to fall (learn, cope)
3.
Team Orientated- Works well in groups, socially active
4.
Confident- high level of optimism, tech savvy
5.
Pressured- High expectations, expect constant feedback
6.
Achieving- Will challenge methods for grading and testing
7.
Conventional- Respect for cultural differences
Importance of Your Relationship
with Your Students
1.
Establish Rapport:
You are on the
“front lines”
2.
Know the warning
signs
3.
Know when and
how to refer
Warning Signs: Mental Health Conditions
Warning Signs: Mental Health Conditions
Warning Signs: Suicide
Suicide is a REAL risk
Signs are there…now what?

Trust your instincts

Use direct communication

Remember that you are not alone

Breathe
Talking with students: Some suggestions

Speak with the student in a private setting when you will not be
rushed.

If you have initiated the contact express your concern in
behavioral, nonjudgmental terms. Use “I” statements.

Be a good listener. Do not make judgments, evaluate or criticize
the student even if the student asks for your opinion. Do not
dismiss the seriousness of the problem.

Maintain clear boundaries and expectations in your role as a
faculty/staff member.

Acknowledge the student’s state of distress & offer to help the
student.

Be compassionate and give hope. Let the student know help is
available and you will help them find it.
Talking with students: Some suggestions

Give alternatives. Encourage the student to seek assistance
through Counseling Services or other appropriate resources. You
can offer to walk the student to our office (EN B 219) to set up the
appointment or make the call with the student.

In making referrals to someone who is reluctant, you can point out
that getting help is a sign of strength and courage and that people
seek help in a variety of ways (car repairs, medical concern, legal
issues, etc).

Know and express your own limitations. You are not expected to
be a professional counselor. You serve an important role as a link
to resources for the student.

Call Counseling Services (392-5475) if you think the person is
contemplating harming self or others if you are not sure what to
do. Take all threats, hints and notes seriously.

In cases of immediate emergency please call 9-1-1.

Take care of you !!!
Campus Resources:
Consult Others if Needed
It is often helpful to know on-campus resources before students are in distress

Counseling Services

Dean of Student Affairs/BIT

Academic Dean

DARC

Women’s Center

Judicial Affairs

Residence Life

Helping students in Distress Guidebook

SCSU Home Page > Faculty/Staff > Resources
Additional Resources
QPR Training
SCSU Student Handbook/Code of Conduct
 SCSU Helping Students in Distress
 MentalHealth.gov
 Voices4Hope.net
 Ulifeline.org
 National Institute of Mental Health
 StrengthofUs.org


Online/Chat Resources for Students

TheTrevorProject.org

CrisisChat.net

IMALIVE.net
24 Hour Hotlines

1-800-273-TALK

211
Quick Review: When to Refer
(Counseling)
In many cases of student distress, faculty and staff can provide adequate help through
empathic listening, facilitating open discussion of problems, instilling hope, validating and
normalizing concerns, conveying acceptance, giving reassurance, and offering basic advice.
In some cases, however, students need professional help to overcome problems and to resume
effective functioning. The following signs indicate a student may need counseling:
• The student remains distressed following repeated attempts by you and others to be helpful.
• The student becomes increasingly isolated, unkempt, irritable, or disconnected.
• The student’s academic or social performance deteriorates.
• The student’s behavior reflects increased hopelessness or helplessness.
• You find yourself doing ongoing counseling rather than consultation or advising and feeling
yourself pulled in directions that make you uncomfortable.
• The student shows significant and marked changes in behavior and mood.
SCSU Faculty and Staff Guide of Helping Students in Distress
Note: Follow up on Referrals

Counseling Services is a confidential resource, therefore
following up on a student you referred for services can be
tricky.

Student can sign a release of information for us to
communicate with you regarding attendance. If not, we
are unable to confirm or deny the student has attended
services.

Recommendation: Follow up with the student directly. It
shows that you care and that you want the best for them.
Questions?
Matthew Ouimet, NCC, LPC
Phone:(203) 392-5482
Email: Ouimetm1@southernct.edu
Thank you for Attending!
Counseling Services
Engleman B-219
Phone:(203) 392-5475
Remember to tell students: Free and Confidential!