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

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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: broene@calvin.edu

Website address: calvin.edu/broene

Questions?

Thanks for coming!