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Calvin Students and Mental Health
Irene Kraegel, PsyDBroene Counseling Center
Fall Conference August 21, 2014
BROENE COUNSELING CENTER
Location: Spoelhof Center
Hours: M-F, 8-5:00
Mark Recker, Barb Veeneman (office manager), Intern, Dan VandersteenCindy Kok, Irene Kraegel, Amanda Worst, Christina Edmondson, Rick Baez
Not pictured: Bren Shantz and Nicole Marshall (intern)
Who do we serve?
Enrolled students who are experiencing • depression• anxiety • stress• adjustment issues• relationship problems• eating disorders• substance abuse
2013-14 Data
• 19% of enrolled students sought services from
Broene (758 students)
– 10% of these were international students
– 17% of these were AHANA students
• 64% were female, 36% were male
• Fairly equal distribution across academic years
• 19% of students were on psychotropic medication
at the time of their first appointment
What services do we offer?
Group counseling
Individual counseling
Couples/Family counseling
Crisis care (1:30-2:30, M-F)
After-hours triage through Pine Rest
Consultation to faculty, staff, & family
All services are provided free of charge.
Who are some of our partners?Medication management Student Health Services Psychiatrist on campus
Disability services / Academic support Student Academic Services
Emergency services Campus Safety Residence Life Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Center
How are students referred? 2013-2014
Another Student
Parent Res Life Staff
Professor0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Nu
mb
er
of
re-
spo
nse
s
What do students think of Broene? 2013-2014
I feel that my counselor is thorough and competent.
My counselor really listens to me.
Overall I am satisfied with the services provided at Broene.
I would recommend the BCC to a friend.
0% 20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
96.42%
97.86%
95.69%
95.71%
Student consent is required for any information-sharing by Broene staff,
with the exception of situations where
there is imminent risk of harm to self or others.
Counseling records are kept separate from school records.
Confidentiality
WHAT YOU CAN DOInteracting with distressed students
Watch for warning signs• Decline in
Performance– Grades– Excessive absences– Not handing in
assignments
• Social Difficulties– Neediness– Trouble getting along
with other students
• Problem Behavior– Falling asleep
inappropriately– Highly disruptive
• Emotional Difficulties– Excessive
tearfulness or sadness
– Unusual or exaggerated emotional response
– Excessive anxiety when asked to speak in class
– References to suicide or homicide
Maintain healthy boundaries
• If a student is struggling, speak with them privately
• Stay in your role as an advisor, professor, resident director, etc.
• Do not promise confidentiality before the student has spoken
• Focus on supporting and problem-solving rather than “fixing”
• Maintain student autonomy as much as possible—avoid enabling or parenting
• Acknowledge emotional difficulties as needed by student, but keep primary focus on academic goals and progress
Use active listening skills• Maintain good eye contact• Give your full attention to the student• Reflect back what you hear and ask
questions that show understanding– “So you’re feeling pretty overwhelmed right
now.”
• Empathize and show respect– “It’s hard to get schoolwork done when you’re
feeling so sad.”
• Avoid interrupting • Speak at approximately the same energy
level as the student
Create a plan with the student
Briefly address the emotions• Be direct about your observations and
concerns• Ask the student what they have already
done to address the problem and what else they could do
• Verbalize hope– “Depression is very treatable.” – “Just by talking about this, you’re already
moving in the right direction.”– “You’re not alone—we are here to support you
as you move forward.”
Create a plan with the studentMake a referral• Refer to the Broene Counseling Center
– Start with their own thoughts: “Have you thought about counseling?”
– Normalize the counseling experience: “A lot of students find it helpful to talk to a counselor when they’re having these kinds of feelings.”
– Explore resistance: “What would keep you from talking to a counselor about these things? Could it be worth taking this step, even though it is difficult for you?”
• If the student is open, support them in making the call to Broene from your office
• Follow up with the student to ask if they followed through with the plan — if not, repeat the above
Focus on the academics• Be specific about academic goals and
deadlines, modifying as needed to fit the student’s current functional ability
• Provide positive feedback regarding small improvements
• Refer to Student Academic Services (SAS)—follow up with the student to ask if they followed through
Create a plan with the student
When safety is an issueTalk with the student• Clarify vague, confusing, or disturbing statements
– “What do you mean by….?”
• If you are concerned that safety might be an issue, ask about it directly– “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
• Never agree to keep it secret if a student is thinking about harming themselves or others
Talk with others• Consult with colleagues and/or a mental health
professional about the situation and document your conversations
• Notify the CARE team: www.calvin.edu/care/
When safety is an issue
If a student cannot commit to safety…• Discuss with them their need for extra
support in remaining safe • Immediately contact a mental health
professional for assessment – During hours: Broene Counseling Center – 526-
6123– After hours: Pine Rest Contact Center – 455-
9200
• If needed, contact Campus Safety (526-6452) or law enforcement (911) for help
• Notify the CARE team: www.calvin.edu/care/
Office phone: 616-526-6123
Email address: [email protected]
Website address: calvin.edu/broene
Questions?
Thanks for coming!