Making a Referral

As an important and trusted figure in student’s lives, faculty and staff can be in a unique position to help FAMU students thrive in every aspect of their lives. Counseling Services is here to help you help them.

 

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For students going through a hard time, counseling can help. Learn how you can encourage your students to take advantage of the Counseling Center. If you are a faculty or staff member and you feel a student is in distress, we can help you help them.

  • Why should I refer a student to counseling?

  • How your students function socially and emotionally can have a significant impact on how they perform academically. Let students know that counseling is not only acceptable, it is encouraged — and that it can help improve their overall well-being and quality of life.

  • Who can be referred to counseling?

  • Any enrolled FAMU student whose behavior or verbalizations may suggest that counseling may be beneficial. See the list of signs and symptoms below.

  • Where can I make a referral?

  • The office is located at 1735 Wahnish Way Suite 304 (CASS Building)

  • How do I refer someone to the Counseling Center? 

  • Encourage the student to come to the Counseling Center and provide them with information about our services; however, students must make the appointments themselves. They can call the Counseling Center at (850)-599-3145. They may choose a specific counselor or allow the receptionist to choose a counselor for them. Write down the time, day and date for the student’s appointment. If they look reluctant to receive services, you may wish to offer to escort the student to the Center.

  • When can I make a referral?

  • Referrals should be made during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If an emergency arises after 5 p.m., call the FAMU police department at 599-3256.

 

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Signs and Symptoms: Many students initially seek assistance from faculty or staff members. Review these guidelines for identifying students in distress:

  • Excessive procrastination and very poorly prepared assignments, especially if this is out of character for the student
  • Little or no work completed, especially if accompanied by a lackadaisical attitude
  • Infrequent or marked decrease in class attendance
  • Dependency (e.g., the student who hangs around or makes excessive appointments during office hours)

  • Students who appear overly nervous, tense or tearful
  • Marked changes in personal hygiene
  • Auditory and visual hallucinations, (i.e., hearing and seeing things that are not there)
  • Disruptive class behavior
  • Expressed needs for entitlements, such as repeated requests for special consideration (e.g., deadline extensions)
  • Lack of energy or frequently falling asleep in class
  • Frequent or high levels of irritable, unruly, abrasive or aggressive behavior
  • Expressed passive or active suicidal thoughts (e.g., I can’t take it anymore, I wish I were dead, I just wish my life were over, I feel like killing myself)
  • Persistent indecisiveness

  • Excessive weight gain or loss, especially without intent
  • Impaired speech and disjointed thoughts
  • Threats to others
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Working With Distressed Students: When trying to help a student whom you expect may be distressed, it is important to be empathetic and respectful. Review these guidelines for discussions with distressed students.

  • Speaking with the student privately
  • Expressing concern by stating your observations as reasons for your concerns
  • Listening carefully
  • Being objective and nonjudgmental as much as possible
  • Summarizing what the student has said to you to ensure that you are communicating clearly with each other
  • Encouraging the student to consider speaking with someone confidentially at the Counseling Center and discuss referring the student to our office with the student
  • Telling the student about our website and the services & resources OCS provides