For Concerned Students

As a student, you may find yourself concerned with the behavior, emotions, or demeanor of a friend. Many students talk with a counselor at Counseling and Psychological Services because they want some ideas about how to be helpful to another person. If a consultation meeting with a counselor would be helpful to you, call for an appointment: 797-1012.

Why do people seek counseling?

People seek counseling for many reasons, ranging from a wish to solve a long-standing problem to a desire to enhance their personal growth. To address the personal, educational and career concerns of students, the Center offers both group and individual counseling. Students come in to discuss issues such as: roommate conflicts, anxiety and stress management, depression, eating disorders, body image, substance abuse and other addictions, career choices, academic concerns, traumatic experiences, and family and friend concerns.

Here are some common symptoms of distress that may indicate that counseling is recommended:

  • Significant changes in personal relationships, such as death of a family member of friend, divorce or separation, pregnancy, or abuse.
  • Significant changes in mood or behavior, such as withdrawal from others, asocial activity, spells of unexplained crying or outbursts of anger, or unusual agitation.
  • Increased irritability.
  • Uncharacteristic changes in academic behavior such as missing classes and tests.
  • Loss of motivation; lack of enjoyment in activities that were once enjoyable.
  • References to suicide or expression of intent to harm self or others.
  • Anxiety and depression.
  • Alcohol and drug abuse.
  • Eating and body image concerns.
  • Career choice concerns.
  • Concern about academics.

What you can do to help:

  • Listening to and putting yourself in the shoes of the friend about whom you are concerned can help him or her feel understood and cared for.
  • If you want to explain to a friend how you are concerned, be as specific as possible. Being direct is advisable; attempting to deceive or trick someone into getting help is unwise.
  • Make a Referral: You can help by telling your friend that they can go to Counseling and Psychological Services in room 306 of the Taggart Student Center. They can walk in and make a consultation appointment, or they can call 797-1012 to make a consultation appointment. If your friend is in crisis, we will make an appointment with them on the same day. You may also offer to make the call with them or to walk them over to Counseling and Psychological Services yourself to help them set up their first appointment.
  • If your friend is reluctant to meet with a counselor, you may suggest that he or she see a physician or a trusted religious figure. Some people may be more comfortable with these individuals initially.
  • Remember that change often happens in stages. When you encourage a friend to go to counseling, you plant a seed for change that may not take hold right away. Do not expect immediate change or for all of the symptoms to go away in a short period of time. If you feel that getting someone to help is essential, you may consult with a counselor at the Counseling Center at 797-1012 during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m.-5:00p.m., Monday through Friday.

Additional Resources

We would like to express appreciation to our colleagues at the following universities for allowing us to use their websites as a template for this section: University of Michigan CAPS, the University of Delaware Center for Counseling and Student Development, Virginia Tech Department of English.

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