Refer a Student to CAPS

WSU faculty and staff often observe students in distress, a common phenomenon on college campuses. While many students can manage increased levels of stress during their academic career, other students may not cope as well. If you are concerned about a student's well-being, invite them speak with you in a private space and gently comment on the signs of distress you've observed that raised concern. Encourage them to schedule a free, confidential initial consultation appointment with a CAPS counselor at caps.wayne.edu to assess their needs and identify supportive resources. If an in-person consultation with the student seems more appropriate, offer to walk the student over to our office on the 5th floor of the Student Center Building during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm).

Because CAPS services are CONFIDENTIAL, we are unable to confirm nor deny whether a student was seen at CAPS. We are unable to disclose information shared with our office unless a student first signs an Authorization to Release Information form that allow us to share information. Students are not required to sign an Authorization to release information, so do not take it personally if the decline to do so. There may be compelling reasons that you are not aware of, as to why they would not want to disclose to you.

Signs of Distress

To help you identify students who stress levels have become unmanageable, you may observe some or all of the following:

• Changes in behavior or academic functioning
• Poor memory, concentration, and/or attention
• Diminishing classroom attendance
• Changes in personal hygiene/appearance
• Changes in mood, such as: increased apathy, irritability or anger
• Suicidal, homicidal, or unusual statements or behaviors
• Increased isolating behaviors
• Suspicion of drug or alcohol abuse

How to Talk With a Student in Distress

• You may not want to wait for a distressed student to ask for help.
• Initiate the conversation by asking the student to speak with you privately.
• Once in a private space, comment on what you have observed and express your concerns.
• If a student discloses a problem, try to allow them to discuss it openly.
• Covey your support by listening in a calm, accepting, and non-judgmental manner.
• Acknowledge their emotions, let the student talk, and paraphrase what has been said.
• You may want to assess the situation with the student and ask for comments and come to a conclusion together.
• Don't feel that you need to be qualified to deal directly with the student's concerns. Let them know that professionals are available on campus to deal with such problems and suggest that they schedule an initial consultation appointment on the CAPS website.

When to Refer a Student Immediately

If a student is presenting any of the following symptoms: 

• Talking about death or suicidal ideas
• Marked shifts in quality of performance
• Marked shifts in behavior
• Drastic changes in personal appearance or hygiene

Crisis Situations:

• If you fear immenent harm may come to a student or others, call WSU Police (313) 577-2222.
   
• If you do not fear immenent harm, but worry that a student might harm themselves or someone else in the near future, strongly encourage the student to call CAPS at (313) 577-3398 or the Afterhours Program at (313) 577-CAPS (2277).
   
• If the student will not agree to call, you can call CAPS with your concern and receive one-to-one consultation from one of the staff counselors on how best to respond to your situation.

When to Refer a Student Who is Not in Crisis

If a student is presenting a combination of one or more of these symptoms:

• Complaints of inability to concentrate
• New troubles in memory
• Apathy, chronic fatigue, falling asleep in class
• Social behavioral changes
• Inability to sit still
• Emotional outbursts
• Report of a life crisis (death/loss of a loved one or serious illness)
• Previously outgoing person becomes withdrawn
• Talking about feeling sad or helpless
• Increase in alcohol or drug use