Even when you’re not seeing your student regularly, many parents can hear a difference in the way their sons or daughters sound on the phone — changes in mood, energy, or tone of voice. But how how do you know if your student needs a consultation? Look for changes in your student’s behavior, including appearance, academic functioning, energy level, and overall engagement. For example, missing classes or work may reflect difficulty sleeping at night, trouble being in public, or a fear of disappointing others by low performance. Behavior that is outside the typical range for your student may be reason to consult a counselor.
How to bring it up…
If you become concerned about your son or daughter or if your student appears troubled but does not tell you the reasons, you can bring up the subject in a caring, supportive way. Students who are struggling are often relieved when people they care about notice what’s going on.
Here are some suggestions to start a conversation:
- I’m concerned about you.
- I’ve noticed you have been looking (or sounding) tired and it seems as if there’s a lot on your mind lately.
- Would you like to talk about how things are going?
- You mentioned that you’ve been missing classes lately. Are you stressed by how much you have to do?
- I’m bringing this up because I care about you.
- Is there anything going on that’s getting in your way?
- You said you’re not happy with your grades so far this semester. Can we talk about how you can get some help?
- Is there something that’s keeping you from studying or learning?
How to talk about it…
Whether you broach the subject or your student does, try to make time for an uninterrupted, private conversation. Here are tips for empathetic listening:
- Listen, listen, listen…let your student tell his or her story without interrupting.
- Don’t try to solve a problem too quickly with advice or reassurance.
- Let your student express emotion (often it has been building up or bottled up).
- Let your student know it is alright to talk to you about personal concerns.
- Avoid questions that can seem like blame or judgment.
- Say that the situation is one that other students have dealt with (this is almost always true).
- Ask if your student has found anything that helps with the problem.
Some students may be reluctant on their own to contact the counseling center. Let them know that hundreds of students talk to counselors every year and counseling is a part of general health care, with a focus on emotional and interpersonal satisfaction. It helps students to hear that seeking counseling is not a sign of weakness or an inability to handle one’s own problems, but rather a sign of strength in seeking out resources. Remind your student that services are confidential.
Resources for your student at Missouri State
Refer them to the Missouri State Counseling Center
The primary goal of the Missouri State Counseling Center is to promote students’ personal development and psychological well-being. Services are provided for individuals with a variety of challenges such as personal-social concerns and life-planning issues. Experienced professional counselors, psychologists, social workers and graduate students assist clients in resolving conflicts which may interfere with their progress at the University. The Counseling Center offers counseling to currently enrolled Missouri State University students. There are no fees or charges for counseling-related services. The number for the Counseling Center is 417-836-5116, located in Carrington Hall, Room 311.
Resources available at the Counseling Center:
Emergency/Crisis services – Crisis intervention is provided to help students cope with mental health emergencies. During office hours, they can call or come by the Counseling Center, Carrington Hall, Room 311. For after-hours mental health emergencies, they can call 417-836-5116 then press zero to speak to a crisis counselor. They may also contact MSU Public Safety at 417-836-5509 (encourage your student to add this number to their telephone contact list).
Individual counseling – Individuals may work with a clinician in order to identify, understand, and resolve personal and relationship difficulties.
Center City Counseling Center (Center City Counseling Clinic, another arm of the Counseling Center, provides counseling services for adults, teens, young children down to the age of two, and couples. The fees are income-based and on a sliding scale. They can also waive a fee altogether if this presents a difficulty to the individual or family.)
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
417-836-3215
http://education.missouristate.edu/CCCC/
Couples counseling
Group counseling
Consultation/referrals
Educational programs
Refer them to the Dean of Students Office.
The primary role of the Dean of Students Office is to assist students in accomplishing personal and educational goals. This includes helping remove barriers that might make those goals more difficult to reach. Please contact us if you are confronted by an issue or concern, or if you have a question about how to enhance your education. The Dean of Students Office can be reached at 417-836-5527, located in the Plaster Student Union, Room 405.
Refer them to Taylor Health and Wellness Center.
Student Wellness is the health promotion unit within the Taylor Health and Wellness Center and the Division of Student Affairs. Student Wellness cultivates student learning and influences health-related outcomes by promoting healthy attitudes and behaviors, and by preventing illness, injury, and disease, thereby shaping a healthier campus community. Student Wellness also strives to prevent and reduce preventable health risks and illnesses that interfere with academic performance, learning, student retention and personal growth opportunities. You can contact Taylor Health and Wellness at 417-836-4000, located on the first floor of the Monroe Apartments (until March 13, 2018 after which they will be located in the new Taylor Health and Wellness Center located beside the Missouri State Bookstore).
(parts reprinted from UniversityParent)