Resources
Those who have regular interactions with individual students, such as their faculty, staff, family or friends, are often the first to see concerning behavior and can be an important advocate in their network of support. Use this page as a guide to help understand your role, what to look out for, what to do if you have a concern, and how our process works if the student becomes our client.
Emergency Assistance
If you perceive an immediate danger or risk of suicide, call 911 for immediate assistance.
Students can also reach mental health support 24 hours a day on the UD Helpline or the Crisis Text Line.
Resources for Faculty and Staff
What is my role in these unprecedented times?
In this new virtual environment, students may have a range of needs and experiences. If you are worried about a student’s safety, please reach out for help. At the Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) we rely on our campus partners in student life and faculty to partner in taking care of our students’ mental health and wellbeing. As faculty and staff you are in a unique position to observe and recognize when a student may be experiencing distress or crisis. Please see our Students in Distress webpage for further information on assisting students in distress.
CCSD continues to offer all regular services (scheduled triage meetings, brief individual and group therapy, emergency counseling, and consultation with students, faculty and staff). Our care is being offered through a telehealth format that involves the use of secure phone or video connections. Please note that the range of what we can offer students may change depending depending upon the state in which they reside, due to differences in state laws.
Is consultation available?
If you need to consult with a clinical staff member, please call CCSD 302-831-2141 during our regular hours (8-5 M-F) or the UD Helpline after hours, 302-831-1001.
What should I do in an emergency?
In emergency situations involving students who are unwilling or unable to seek help on their own, contact any of the following:
Center for Counseling & Student Development: 302-831-2141 (available 8-5 M-F)
UD Helpline 24/7/365: 302-831-1001
Crisis Text Line: Text “UDTEXT”, or "STEVE" for students of color, to 741741
Police and/or Ambulance: 911
How is CCSD supporting students during this time?
CCSD remains available to students. Our clinicians are able to communicate with students via phone and Zoom sessions, and have been trained to do both with care and ethical practice. We expect that we can serve a large majority of the students seeking support from us, though some students will be referred to local practitioners when this option is a better match for their situation or need.
When and how do I refer a student to CCSD?
Not every student needs professional counseling. However, if distressing circumstances are affecting a student’s wellbeing or ability to make satisfactory academic progress, a referral for counseling may be in order. Referrals are usually indicated in the following situations:
- A student presents a problem or requests information which is outside your range of knowledge or expertise;
- You notice that personality differences between you and the student will interfere with your efforts to help them; or
- A clearly distressed student is reluctant to discuss a problem with you for some reason.
Once you determine that a student could benefit from professional counseling, speak with them privately in a direct fashion, showing concern for their welfare. For example, “I’m worried about your safety because you have seemed down lately.” Or, “My concern grew when I read in your email that “it doesn’t matter what happens because I’m not going to be around much longer.” Specific mention of behaviors or observations is most effective for conveying concern.
Be sure to let students know that our services are confidential, and we have years of expertise serving college students. If they are open to the referral have them call us (302-831-2141) to request services during our regular business hours. Our front desk staff will screen callers for emergent needs or requests for consultation. Students experiencing an emergency will receive a same day call back. Students, staff, faculty, or parents who are requesting a consultation will be called back within 24 hours but often on the same day. If a student is requesting short-term therapy or access to psychiatry services, they will be scheduled for the first available triage appointment that matches their schedule. We aim to have these triage appointments scheduled within 7-10 days of the request. Students may also request group therapy and they will be scheduled with the group therapist to make sure the group is a good match for their needs.
We encourage you to follow up with the student later to show your continued interest even if they did not accept your attempted referral. If a student refuses your referral and you remain concerned, feel free to call us (or the UD Helpline after hours) to consult.
Resources for Parents, Family and Friends
What is my role?
College is a time of great change, when students become more independent and learn how to manage their lives. For families, we know this transition can be filled with anticipation as well as anxiety, confusion and hope. We recommend that you support your student’s growth by:
- providing a steady, supportive home base for your student;
- recognizing that there will be ups and downs in a student’s needs and expectations;
- following your student’s lead and encourage them to work through problems using you as a consultant;
- helping your student balance their thoughts and emotions to make their best decisions;
- noticing and appreciating the new skills your student develops; and
- taking care of your own needs during what can be a stressful and confusing time.
Whether your student will be returning home for the holidays or commuting throughout the year to UD, consider how their new levels of responsibility and independence will be acknowledged in the home. If you’d like to talk through the situation you are experiencing, feel free to call CCSD at 302-831-2141.
What is my role as a friend?
You may find yourself concerned with the behavior, emotional concerns or demeanor of a friend. Many students talk with a counselor because they want some ideas about how to be helpful to another person. If a consultation meeting would be helpful to you, call CCSD for a phone consultation or appointment at 302-831-2141. We recommend that you support your friend by:
- listening to and putting yourself in the shoes of the friend about whom you are concerned to help them feel understood and cared about;
- being specific about your concerns and direct about your recommendations if you decide to address them;
- recognizing that change often happens in stages, and your friend may not take your advice immediately; and
- reaching out to CCSD or any of our emergency services if you feel that the situation is urgent.
What happens if my student or friend seeks counseling?
It is not unusual for a student to come to the University having already received counseling at home. Others may not have previous counseling experience but might have a difficult time in making the transition to college. If you are a family member who knows your student has a history of mental health problems or treatment, please check with us before school begins about what we can offer and what you may need to seek off-campus. Your continued support and involvement is often crucial to your student’s wellbeing. While the University aims to provide a supportive environment for students, it cannot replace the essential role of family.
All students eligible to pay the Student Wellbeing Fee are entitled to a thorough assessment and recommendation for counseling. All services provided by the CCSD are intended to provide short-term assistance to students in dealing with personal, career, and educational concerns which may be barriers to their academic progress.
After an initial assessment of a student’s concerns, the psychologists and/or psychiatrists will determine if an individual’s needs may best be met by the CCSD’s services or are beyond the scope of those services. In the latter cases, such individuals will receive a referral to other sources of assistance, on or off-campus. The CCSD does not provide forensic services that involve litigation or require court testimony.
Interviews conducted at the CCSD are confidential in nature. Information cannot be released except upon a student’s written request, when the student is a clear danger to self or others, or as may be required by law. The CCSD adheres very strictly to this policy.
What should I do in an emergency?
In emergency situations involving students who are unwilling or unable to seek help on their own, contact any of the following:
Center for Counseling & Student Development: 302-831-2141 (available 8-5 M-F)
UD Helpline 24/7/365: 302-831-1001
Crisis Text Line: Text “UDTEXT”, or "STEVE" for students of color, to 741741
Police and/or Ambulance: 911