When To Refer

Throughout the year, the Center receives many telephone calls from administrators, faculty, staff, Jesuit counselors, RAs, ACs, and friends.  They all have an opportunity to observe some of the signs and symptoms that could be indicative of the need to refer to professional assistance.  Below are some of the general symptoms of distress:

  1. Marked impairment in functioning.
  2. Noted isolation.
  3. Significant decrease in energy and motivational level.
  4. Marked change in behavior (e.g., appearance change, erratic class attendance or class performance, sudden unwillingness to communicate, drop in grades.
  5. Alcohol and/or other substance abuse).
  6. Eating disorders and/or behaviors.
  7. Self-deprecation, excessive self-criticism and guilt.
  8. Statements reflecting a sense of worthlessness, hopelessness or helplessness.
  9. Psychosomatic symptoms such as tension-headaches, nausea, change in appetite or in sleeping habits.
  10. Anxiety, depression, stress and burnout.
  11. Traumatic changes in personal relationships, such as divorce, death, or ending a relationship with a significant other.
  12. Academic problems such as career indecision, dissatisfaction with academic major, inability to concentrate and difficulty with workload.
  13. Threatening bodily injury or harm to others.
  14. Violent behavior.
  15. Paranoid views of the world.
  16. Marked disorientation and/or bizarre behavior.
  17. References to suicide.