The Changing Role of Faculty in Addressing Student Mental
Health HEY TOTO, WERE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE
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What Has Changed An old norm in classrooms was that if a
student did not cause problems leave them alone. With an increasing
focus on retention, ignoring a distressed student can lead to lost
revenue. Without question campuses are seeing more individuals with
significant mental health issues. The community resources for
mental health resources have been greatly diminished. More students
have anger management issues and violence is increasingly common on
campuses.
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New Challenges for Faculty Classroom management is increasingly
an issue. Knowing the network of student support services is
imperative. Knowledge of referral processes for student concerns
has become a faculty responsibility. Faculty and student safety
preparation is requiring more time, attention, and resources.
Establishing and enforcing clear boundaries in the classroom is a
faculty responsibility. The demands on faculty and corresponding
stress have increased.
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Current Mental Health Realities on Campuses Approximately 48.5%
students will become so depressed during their time in college that
they will consider suicide. Suicide is the 3 rd leading cause of
death among adolescents and the 2 nd among college students.
Approximately 1100 college students die each year by suicide. 8-10%
of college students report suicidal ideation each year. Females are
3 to 5 times more likely to attempt suicide, but males are 4 to 5
times more likely to complete suicide
Slide 5
ETSU Mental Health Realities Dr. Hirsch assessed that
approximately 25% of our students endorse moderate to severe
depression. Almost 5% of our students often have thoughts of
suicide. Approximately 900 of our students made a suicide attempt
last year. Approximately 1600 of our students considered suicide
last year.
Slide 6
ETSU Counseling Center Realities Provided individual counseling
for 617 students last year 28.6% indicated depression as their
primary or secondary concern 29% indicated anxiety as their primary
or secondary concern Another 7.6% reflected an adjustment issue
which is generally accompanied by depression and/or anxiety 20.1%
indicated relationships as their primary concern. 49 Mental Status
Screens were completed. 53 Alcohol and Drug Screens were
completed.
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What You Can Do to Help Our Students
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ETSU Mental Health Services ETSU Counseling Center
(439-4841)-Serves only ETSU students (Individual and couples
counseling, psychiatry, crisis response, preventative psycho-
educational programming, case management, career exploration)
Community Counseling Clinic (439-7679)-Counseling Program Training
Clinic-Serves community and ETSU students (Individual and couples
counseling) Behavioral Health and Wellness (439-7777)-Psychology
Program Training Clinic-Serves community and ETSU students
(Individual and couples counseling) Student University Health
Services (439-4225)-Serves community and ETSU students (Psychiatry
and psychotropic medication, limited 30 minute psychotherapy
sessions provided by a Psychology graduate student)
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The Distressed Student Excessive procrastination, poor quality
of work Infrequent attendance Dependency Restlessness, falling
asleep in class Clear changes in personal hygiene Nervousness,
tense or tearful Special requests Report of sexual or physical
assault Report death of a friend or family member
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Helping the Distressed Student Speak with the student privately
and confidentially Let the student know you are concerned and that
you would like to help Encourage the student to seek help through
the Counseling Center or another mental health service Walk the
student to the Counseling Center
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The Disturbed Student Impaired speech and/or disjointed
thoughts Inappropriate emotional responses Expressed suicidal or
homicidal thoughts Self-mutilating behaviors such as cutting or
burning self Frequent irritable or abrasive behaviors Inability to
make decisions or to understand academic material Bizarre behavior
Suspicious or paranoid thoughts
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Helping the Disturbed Student If there is not an immediate
threat speak with the student privately and confidentially.
Document conversations. Express your concern for their behavior and
establish boundaries for in and out of class interactions. Be
assertive. Do not argue with the student about their irrationality
or play along with their delusions. It may help to acknowledge
students feelings without supporting the irrationality or negative
behavior. Document each incident and interaction with the student.
Contact the Associate Dean and/or Counseling Center for
consultation and assistance.
Slide 14
The Disruptive Student Behavior that consistently interferes
with effective classroom management, including failure to follow
instructors directives. Frequent or high levels of irritable,
unruly, abrasive, or aggressive behavior. Bizarre behavior that is
obviously inappropriate for the situation.
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Helping the Disruptive Student If no immediate threat exists,
speak with the student privately and confidentially. Document
interactions. Clearly identify the behaviors of concern, express
your concern, and set appropriate boundaries in the classroom. If
the student remains disruptive, you may ask the student to leave
for the remainder of the class period. Longer term class dismissals
must be negotiated with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
Avoid escalating the situation; speak calmly and avoid physical
contact. If the student fails to comply, contact Public Safety
(439-4480). Consult with the Counseling Center as needed.
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The Dangerous Student Expressed suicidal or homicidal thoughts,
threats, or gestures. Self-mutilating behaviors; such as cutting or
burning self. Threats to others. Carrying or brandishing a weapon.
Intimidating behaviors, including inappropriate touching or
violations of personal space, harassment or stalking.
Slide 18
Helping the Dangerous Student Contact ETSU Public Safety
(439-4480). Avoid escalating the situation; speak calmly and with
concern. Avoid physical contact. You may choose to dismiss the
class while waiting for Public Safety. Use good judgment to protect
the yourself and your students. Do not make any effort to prevent
the dangerous student from leaving the classroom. Be proactive;
make plans to have a buddy to help out if you have to deal with a
dangerous student.
Slide 19
Suggestions for Developing a Syllabus Policy that addresses
attendance, punctuality, and tardiness, including consequences.
Statement regarding appropriate classroom behavior between students
and the instructor. General policies regarding communication with
the instructor (including office hours and location), appointments
and drop-in policy, phone number and policy regarding returning
phone calls and/or emails. Policy on eating and drinking in class.
Policy regarding visitors and children in class. Policy regarding
breaks, and leaving or entering class during instruction. Policy on
plagarism. Policy regarding cell phones, laptops, and other
electronic devices.
Slide 20
Three Critical Contacts to Prevent Your Becoming: ETSU
Counseling Center 439-4841 ETSU Public Safety 439-4480 Associate
Dean of Students; Jeff Howard 439-4210