Resources
Publications
Identifying and Referring Students in Difficulty
Counselling and Student Development has published a handbook that highlights some primary indications that a student is in distress, situations requiring immediate referral, services offered by Counselling and Student Development, and contact information. The guidelines outline when counselling may be indicated and beneficial to a student and how to make a referral.
Click the title above to open an electronic version of the handbook.
Worksheets and discussion guides
Click each underlined topic below to open an electronic version of the document.
This set of case studies presents samples of the types of situations that could arise when a student is in distress. You can use this worksheet as a guide to discussions of reactions, responses and ethical considerations.
The primary responsibility of faculty and instructors is to create a classroom environment conducive to learning and supportive of students in distress. Constructing your classroom environment provides suggestions on how to go about doing that.
Deciding whether or not to respond to a student in distress involves considering a number of questions. The Risks and Benefits worksheet presents some of the factors on both sides of the question.
The Barriers worksheet takes you through a list of considerations that may be factors in deciding whether or not to refer a student to professional counselling.
Web Resources
The BCIT Counselling and Student Development website contains a wealth of information and resources for students, faculty and staff.
Relevant BCIT policies
Institute policies include specific regulations and procedures for working with and responding to students in difficulty or distress.
7522 |
Safety and Security Response to Abusive and Threatening Behaviour |
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7515 |
Safety and Security Critical Incident Response |
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7507 |
Harassment and Discrimination Policy |
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5101 |
Education-Student Regulations |
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5102 |
Education-Student Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) |
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5104 |
Education-Academic Integrity and Appeals |
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4501 |
Accommodation for |
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1504 |
Standards of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy |
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7511 |
Employment and Educational Equity |
Studies and other information sources
Anton, W. 2007, Pilot College Adjustment Study (unpublished), Counselling Center, University of South Florida 2007
Benton, S. A., Robertson, J. M., Wen-Chih, Newton, F. B., & Benton, S. L. (2003). Changes in counseling center client problems across 13 years. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice , 34(1), 66-72.
Bray, N.J., Braxton, J.M., & Sullivan, A.S. (1999). The influence of stress-related coping strategies on college student departure decisions. Journal of College Student Development. 40, 645-657.
Chickering & Reisser 1993. Education and identity (2nd edition). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Clark, M.P., Wettersten, K.B., & Mason, T.W. (1999). The Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) as a measure of therapeutic outcome and predictor of academic retention. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.
Grizzell, Jim and McNeil, M., 2007. Linking Health to Academic Success and Retention. Spectrum, February 2007.
Kitzrow, M.A. (2003). The mental health needs of today's college students: Challenges and recommendations. NASPA Journal. 41, 165-173.
American College Health Association. National College Health Assessment Survey. Reference Group Executive Summary, 2007.
Sharkin, B. (2004). College counseling and student retention: Research findings and the implications for counseling centers. Journal of College Counseling. 7, 99-108.
Soet, J. & Sevig, T.(2006). Mental health issues facing a diverse sample of college students: Results from the college student mental health survey. NASPA Journal. 43 (3).
Turner, A. & Berry, T.R. (2000). Counseling center contributions to student retention and graduation: A longitudinal assessment. Journal of College Student Development. 41(6), 627-635.
Van Brunt, Brian Summary on Retention and Counseling. Retention and Recruitment Newsletter. Magna, 2008.