Professors, lecturers, instructors, teaching assistants, lab supervisors, and staff members are all in unique positions to notice and respond to students in distress due to the inherent, ongoing nature of their relationships with students. Weekly, bi- or tri-weekly classes, sections. labs, and work schedules are times and places where changes in personality or patterns of behavior can be most easily detected. It is precisely for these reasons that faculty and staff members can be effective “eyes and ears” in our campus community, noticing and responding to students in the early stages of situational and/or other emotional distress.

Faculty and staff are not expected to provide personal counseling to students. Rather, faculty and staff play an important role in encouraging students to use campus resources, including facilitating a referral to the Counseling and Wellness Program.  This information is intended to help you recognize some of the symptoms of students in distress and to facilitate appropriate referrals to the Counseling and Wellness Program. 

Please refer to the links below for more information about identifying a student in distress, making a referral, crisis intervention, and the “Don’t Cancel That Class” program. 

            When to Make a Referral
            How to Help
            Consultation
            How to Refer
            Crisis Intervention
           “Don’t Cancel That Class” Program
            Employee Assistance Program

The Counseling and Wellness Program is located in Room 133D/148E in the Texas A&M Engineering Building. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. Please call 423-0047 or email dsa@qatar.tamu.edu for further information or to set up an appointment.