At some point during the course of their university career many students experience psychological problems. While many cope successfully, others may benefit from additional support.

As a staff member you may become concerned about a student and wish to refer them to the University Counselling Service (UCS).

In any referral process confidentiality and student consent are of paramount importance.

 

When to refer

  • You experience uneasiness about the amount or the kind of personal information a student is telling you.
  • You notice changes in class attendance and/or the quality of academic work.
  • A student frequently submits work late or has repeated requests for assignment extensions.
  • There are repeated attempts by a student to gain your personal attention by emailing, phoning or by making appointments to see you.
  • A student discloses self-harm, suicidal thoughts or threaten to harm others.
  • You notice significant changes in a student’s appearance or behaviors.

 

Initiating a conversation

  • Talk to the student in private.
  • In a way that is comfortable for you, tell the student that you have noticed that they are perhaps not their usual self. A gentle expression of concern may invite them to tell you if they are distressed.
  • Listen carefully, showing interest and concern.
  • Repeat back to the student the main points of what they have told you.
  • It is not necessary to ask about the details of the problem as too many personal questions may lead to embarrassment and a sense of intrusion for the student.
  • Acknowledge that there is a problem and find out just enough information to make an appropriate referral.

 

Making a referral

  • Advise the student that a counselling service is available and suggest that they make an appointment. Give them the contact details of the University Counselling Service.
  • If the student has expressed interest in making an appointment but is anxious about doing so, help students refer themselves, by filling the registration form in with them.
  • If you are faced with a more complex situation and you remain concerned, you are welcome to arrange to speak about your concerns to the counsellor yourself, without disclosing the identity of the student.

 

When concern is high

  • If you are concerned about a student and think that the student needs to be seen and supported by a professional urgently, you can follow the following process to make a referral:

    If you are a Student Support Advisor, Personal Tutor or a Faculty Senior Tutor, you can refer the student to MHA service (MHA@nottingham.edu.cn). In other cases, you can contact DCL hotline immediately at 158-5740-0157 and the staff on duty will be able to help you to refer to appropriate resources.

  • If you try the above procedures but are still concerned about how to support the student, you may send an email to University Counselling Service to ask for a brief consultation. 

  • If you need someone to check on a student who is missing and of concern, please contact the Department of Campus Life, not Counselling. DCL 24 hour hotline:15857400157

 

Contact details: