Advice for staff

It is important for staff to be able to recognise signs of psychological distress in order to make timely referrals. The table below provides examples of symptoms in different areas that may indicate underlying psychological distress.

Changes observed in the following area:	Examples
General presentation	Lack of motivation or withdrawal Inability to concentrate Excessive tiredness and exhaustion Poor personal hygiene Smell of alcohol or other substances Significant weight loss/gain
Emotional manifestations	Irritability or anger Feelings depressed, sad or tearful Anxiety or nervousness Mood changes Unusual emotional outbursts or reactions
Behavioural manifestations	Suicidal threats, behaviors or attempts Non-suicidal self-injurious behaviour (e.g. self-mutilation/cutting, hitting, kicking, etc.) Impulsive behaviour (e.g. excessive spending, unusual sexual behaviours, etc.) Unusual eating patterns (e.g. overeating or undereating) Rapid or minimal speech Disruptive behaviours or violence Stalking or harassing others Sleep problems (e.g. excessive sleep or insomnia) Substance use (e.g. cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana or non-prescription drugs or pills)
Academic manifestations	A sudden drop in academic performance Significant changes in the quality of work or inclusion of inappropriate content in work submitted Failure to meet academic deadlines; multiple requests for extensions A sudden drop in class attendance; inability to stay for the whole class
Occupational manifestations	Loss of job Poor work performance Decrease in work productivity Absenteeism or inability to be punctual
Social/interpersonal manifestations	Social isolation or excessive social activity Changes in marital status or relationships (e.g. end of an intimate relationship, sexual involvement with multiple partners, etc.) Frequent arguments or conflicts with others Being a bully or a victim of bullying

 If your students are exhibiting manifestations that are causing them distress, please refer them to a counsellor.

Due to the uniqueness of each individual student’s background and personality, flexibility is the key when dealing with students in need. The level of urgency of the situation is the first and foremost factor to consider when deciding on the appropriate action to be taken.

A 'crisis' is defined as when there is potential or reasonable suspicion that the student might be at 'imminent' risk of harming himself / herself or others. It is important to bear in mind that there are times while the student might be at risk, he/she might not need an 'immediate' intervention. By keeping the following questions in mind, you will have some brief ideas on whether or not the situation should be considered as a 'crisis' and needs urgent attention.

• Is the student in immediate danger?
• Is the student at risk of harming themselves or others?
  
• Do you feel unsafe in the current situation?

 

Yes:

• Immediately call 999 to report to the police and 2766-7999 to notify the CFSO Campus Control Centre (24 hours)
• Ensure your own safety- seek assistance from colleagues who are immediately available in the department or whom you can contact
• Ensure the safety of the student - stay with the student until the police arrive
• Ensure the environment is safe - remove potential weapons/triggering items and move the student to a safer location
• Inform the related departments as soon as possible: 
  • CFSO Campus Control Centre: 2766-7999 (24 hours)
  • Student Halls of Residence (Hung Hom) Property Management Office 24-hr Security Hotline: 3159-0099
  • Student Halls of Residence (Homantin) Property Management Office 24-hr Securtiy Hotline: 3996-2099
  • SAO Counselling and Wellness Section: 2766-6800 (office hours)
  • SAO PolyU-Line: 8100-1583 (non-office hours)
  • University Health Service: 2766-5433 (office hours)

 

Uncertain (clear signs of distress but level of severity unclear and/or unsure if student is in immediate danger):

• During office hours
  • Call SAO Counselling and Wellness Section at 2766-6800 for advice
  • Accompany student to SAO at QT308 for immediate assessment with student's consent
• During non-office hours
  • Call PolyU-Line at 8100-1583 for advice 

No (no immediate safety concerns but the student is showing signs of distress)

• Refer the student to an appropriate office within the university or encourage the student to seek help from community resources.
• Within the University
  • CFSO Campus Control Centre: 2766 7666 (24 hours)
  • SAO Counselling and Wellness Section: 2766-6800 or Faculty/School/Departmental Liaison Counsellor
  • University Health Service: 2766-5433
  • SAO Student Resources and Support Section SEN Caring Team: 2766-6800
  • SAO Careers and Placement Section: 2766-6800 
  • SAO Anti-sexual Harassment Hotline: 3400 2606 
  • SAONon-local Student Services: 2766-5408
  • Office of Undergraduate Studies Academic Advising: 3400-8203
  • Graduate School: 3400-3635

If the student does not appear to be at imminent risk, and hence does not require immediate action, but is obviously experiencing psychological distress, a referral can be made to Counselling and Wellness Section (CWS) for counselling and emotional support.

Students may not be aware of the services provided by CWS and the potential benefits of ongoing counselling with a counsellor. Also, they might not know that their presenting issues are something typical that clients bring in to counselling. Below are some examples of common presenting issues brought up by students during their counselling sessions:

• Issues related to study: anxiety about academic performance, unable to concentrate during study, poor time management, and ineffective study skills etc.
• Issues related to future planning: career goal setting, transitional issues around graduation, financial difficulties, anxiety with job search, unemployment, work-life balance etc.
• Issues related to emotional and psychological stress: depressed mood, anxiety, hyperactivity, inability to relax, low motivation, sleep disturbances, disordered eating etc.
• Issues related to painful memories: traumatic experience, domestic violence, childhood abuse or neglect, loss and grievances etc.
• Issues related to relationships: campus or cyber bullying, poor social skills, conflicts with peer or significant other, family issues etc.
• Issues related to self-exploration: self-identity development, self-image, self-acceptance, self-esteem and confidence issues, sexual orientation, religion, gender, cultural identity, values, developmental milestones and maturation etc.

It is quite common for students to seek help until when they are prompted by others, including parents, peers, professors or academic staff members. Early detection of symptoms and early interventions will help reducing the duration of suffering and preventing issues from escalating. It is thus very important for staff members to help identify students in need and encourage them to go for counselling service.

Please refer to the chart below for the recommended process for referring a student in need to see a counsellor.

 

• Promote mental health awareness: Reassure yourself and your students that experiencing mental health issues is normal and common. Encouraging professional help is a wise choice.
• Focus on connection, not rescue: Avoid taking on the emotional burden of the student's issues. Instead, engage the student and help them connect with CWS for professional help.
  
• Early referral is crucial: Refer as soon as you are concerned about a student. Don't wait for a crisis to refer.
  
• Act immediately: Engage the student and connect them with CWS while they are with you, rather than relying on them to make an appointment themselves, especially if they lack motivation.
• Seek support: You don't have to handle the situation alone. Contact a CWS counsellor for advice and support.
• Consult when in doubt: If you are unsure about how to deal with an emotionally distressed student, consider consulting a CWS counsellor before taking any action.