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Faculty and Staff

College students at the University of Michigan may experience a great deal of stress during the course of their academic experience. As faculty members, teaching assistants, or staff members particularly involved with student services, you may encounter distressed students. Your role can be a positive and crucial one in identifying students who are in distress and assisting them to find the resources available to help themselves.

Consultation Services for Concerns with Students

Often, you as a staff or faculty person will be one of the first persons to find out that a student is having personal problems that are interfering with their academic success or daily lives. The student may come to you for academic advising, or visit during office hours, send you an email, etc. and share personal concerns with you.

In these situations, CAPS is available for assistance in a number of ways. If you would like to consult with one of our professional staff to help you figure out what steps might be taken to help the student, please call 764.8312 and ask to speak to the Counselor on Duty. Our expert staff is available for this service during normal business hours.

Other Consultation Services

Consultation services are available for staff and faculty members. Consultation may address a variety of issues, including such things as need for assistance in program planning, referral questions, interpersonal and communication difficulties in groups and organizations, or concerns a staff or faculty person might have regarding a student. Please call 764.8312 and ask to speak to the Counselor on Duty as the first step for assistance.

Recognizing Distress

Students dealing with personal concerns and in distress typically show some outward signs that they are struggling in some way. The following signs may indicate a need to refer a student to CAPS:

  • Change from high to low grades
  • Excessive absences or tardiness
  • Repeated requests to obtain deadline extensions
  • Depressed or lethargic mood
  • Change in appearance and hygiene
  • Missed exams
  • Behavior that is disruptive or threatening
  • Inappropriate or exaggerated emotional reactions
  • Hyperactivity or very rapid speech
  • Incoherent speech, disorganized thoughts
  • Verbal or written references to suicide, homicide or assaultive behavior

What You Can Do

If you have decided to approach a student or if a student reaches out to you for help, here are some suggestions that might be useful.

  • Talk to the student in private when both of you have time and are not rushed.
  • Listen to thoughts and feelings in a sensitive, non-threatening way.
  • Express your concern in specific nonjudgmental terms that reflect your concern for the well being of the student.
  • Let the student know that you believe a consultation with a staff member at CAPS could be helpful. If the student becomes defensive, simply restate your concerns and recommendations.
  • Making a Referral: You can help by telling the student that they can go to CAPS on the 3rd floor of the Michigan Union. They will need to fill out intake information and then can make an appointment for as soon as possible. If the student is in crisis and needs to see someone on the same day, they can indicate their need to see the Counselor on Duty. A Counselor on Duty is always available during CAPS business hours.

This information and much more is available in a brochure format for printing and sharing with your colleagues at staff meetings, and with your GSI's and any other person who has contact with students in any capacity.

Helping Students in Distress  

Join the “Web of Caring”

If you are interested in learning more about how to help distressed students, CAPS offers specialized training. QPR is a behavioral intervention which will inform you on how to Question a person about suicidal thoughts, Persuade them to get help and behavioral tools on how to Refer them for professional help. If you are interested in a QPR training for your department or unit, fill out a QPR request form.

Urgent Situations

Urgent situations might include a student expressing thoughts verbally or in writing that raise your level of concern; or engaging in troublesome behavior, e.g. excessive rage, incoherent thoughts, and/or threats of harm to self or others.

In emergency situations, we suggest you:

  • Provide a quiet and safe place for the student
  • Maintain a calm and supportive attitude
  • Do not leave the individual alone

Then make arrangements for immediate assistance by contacting one or more of the following four resources:

24 hr. assistance:
Dept. of Public Safety 763.1131
Emergency Services 996.4747
(U of M Hospital)

Business hours 8-5 M-F:
Dean of Students Office 764.7420
CAPS Mon-Thurs 8-7, Fri 8-5 764.8312

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