• a student discloses a problem or requests information that is more serious than you feel comfortable handling
• you have talked to the student and helped as much as you can, but further assistance is needed
• you think your personal feelings about the student will interfere with your objectivity
• the student admits that there is a problem, but doesn't want to talk to you about it
• you are either extremely busy, or are experiencing stress in your own life, and are unable or unwilling to handle other requests for help
• the student asks for information or assistance that you are unable to provide
• personality differences between you and the student prevent you from helping him or her
• the problem is personal and you know the student other than on a professional basis (e.g. friend, neighbor, relative, etc.)
• you believe your attempts to help the student have not been successful
• the student seems unimproved or worse, even after several contacts
• the student is a potential danger to himself or herself or to others.

Let the student know your reasons for making a referral (e.g., lack of time, conflict of interest, limited training) and emphasize your concern that they do get help from an appropriate source. It may help the student to know that you support his or her desire to seek help. Remind students from Hauppauge, Hudson Valley or Manhattan Centers that the SCC can help with referrals to local service providers.


If a Student is Reluctant to Seek Professional Help
Some students think that only people with serious mental health problems need therapy so they may hear your referral to the SCC as a judgment on their mental health. Reassure the student that counselors at the SCC work with students who have concerns that are both small and large. Problems need not reach crisis proportions for students to benefit from professional help. In fact, it is much easier to work on problems if they are addressed before they reach crisis level. Normalizing the process of seeking help may be especially helpful for international students whose cultures may not have similar views of psychological counseling.

Reluctant students might also be relieved to know that they can speak with a counselor on a one-time basis without making a commitment to ongoing therapy. Furthermore, any contact and information shared by the student is kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to parents, faculty, other University departments, or even you, without the student's written permission. Finally, it is important to acknowledge, validate and discuss the student's real fears and concerns about seeking help. It takes considerable courage to face oneself and acknowledge one's limitations.

In some cases, you may find that the student has already sought counseling services at the SCC, or elsewhere, and was dissatisfied with the experience. There are many reasons why counseling may not be successful in a given situation. Please encourage the student to consider giving counseling another try, perhaps with a different counselor.