Guidance for Faculty and Staff
Faculty, staff, and advisors are often the first to notice when a student may be struggling. Students turn to people they see as caring and trustworthy, and even brief conversations can make a difference. You don’t need to solve their problems. Showing concern and guiding them to help can be enough.
When talking with a student:
- Speak in private when possible.
- Listen carefully and reflect back what you hear.
- Share your concern and be specific about what you’ve noticed.
- Respect their values and avoid judgment.
When to Consider a Referral To The Counseling Center
Some signs a student may benefit from counseling include:
Behavioral signs:
- Extreme emotions (e.g., ongoing tearfulness, agitation)
- Irritability, aggression, or disruptive behavior
- Frequent absences, falling asleep in class, or decline in work
- Consistently underperforming despite potential
- Major changes in appearance or hygiene
- Confused speech or disorganized thoughts
Interpersonal signs:
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Sudden changes in relationships
- Grieving a loss or dealing with family/roommate conflict
Emergency signs (act immediately):
- Suicidal thoughts or statements
- Severe emotional outbursts
- Grossly impaired thinking
- Bizarre or dangerous behavior
How to Refer a Student To the Counseling Center
- Speak directly and express concern. Suggest counseling as an option.
- If urgent, call the Counseling Center (212-217-4260) with the student present or walk over to the Counseling Center (Dubinsky building 2 nd Floor, A212B).
- If calling on their behalf, identify yourself, describe the urgency, then let the student speak with us to arrange an appointment.
- Respect the student’s choice unless there’s an emergency.
- If you’re unsure or uncomfortable, you can consult with the Counseling Center—we regularly advise faculty, staff, and parents.
- Follow up with the student afterward to show continued support.
*Please note: Counseling Center staff cannot share details about a student’s care
due to confidentiality, but your support and encouragement still matter.
CARE TEAM: If a student’s behavior raises broader concerns, you may also submit the Care Team Report. The team works collaboratively to assess concerning or disruptive behavior, from mild distress to serious safety risks (including suicidal or harmful behavior), and coordinates timely interventions to protect both the student and the campus community.
Mental Health Resource Team: This team works to raise awareness about student mental health and to provide faculty, staff, and student-facing employees with resources. Through proactive training and shared guidance, the team helps employees develop the skills to recognize concerns, respond appropriately within their professional role, and connect students to the support they need.