Managing Stress and Assisting Others

for Academic Advisors

Presented byUniversity Counseling

ServicesVirginia Commonwealth

Universityhttp://www.students.vcu.edu/counseling/

Lyndon J. Aguiar, Ph.D.

Challenges Facing Students

What are challenges? How do you see your role? What do you think are the top mental

health concerns at VCU?

Top Concerns at UCS

Anxiety Relational Depression Substance use Adjustment Eating and body image Attention and learning

Research

Levels of stress in medical students is higher than that seen in the general population

Sources of stress are not always evident

o “Feeling useless” was most commonly endorsed source of stress in one study

Identifying stress Students may not specifically say “I

am stressed” Symptoms include:

Falling behind on course work Insomnia/hypersomnolence Feeling of tension in shoulders, arms, or

face Irritability Difficulty concentrating Withdrawal

Emotions

CRYING student – “not always an accurate barometer of the degree of someone’s distress”

ANGRY student – remain calm, explain your role, avoid personalizing the anger

If you believe the student is in danger of harming self or others, contact your dean, UCS (804) 828-6200, as well as VCU Police (804) 828-1234

Myths and Realitiesabout Mental Health

• Myth - Confronting a person about suicide will only make them angry and increase the risk of suicide.

• Fact - Asking someone directly about suicidal or homicidal intent lowers anxiety, opens up communication and lowers the risk of an impulsive act.

• Myth - Only experts can prevent suicide.• Fact - Suicide prevention is everybody’s

business, and anyone can help prevent the tragedy of suicide.

Myths and Realitiesabout Mental Health (continued)

• Myth - Suicidal people keep their plans to themselves.

• Fact - Most suicidal people communicate their intent sometime during the week preceding their attempt.

• Myth - Those who talk about suicide don’t do it.• Fact - People who talk about suicide may try, or

even complete, an act of self-destruction.

Adapted from QPR Training

How to Help a Student?

When a student approaches you: Express concern and ask questions Show empathy Listen intently to direct and indirect verbal

cues, and be aware of non-verbals Consider multicultural factors Focus on observations Avoid taking the role of surrogate

counselor Ask student about his/her experience with

counseling and provide the student with information

How to Help a Student?

When a student does NOT approach you:

Approach the student after taking into consideration safety factors

Consider timing and location Be direct, but not punitive Express concern, ask questions,

allow the student to speak freely, listen intently

How to Refer Students to UCS?

Explain limitations of your role Emphasize confidentiality and impartiality

of counseling Provide information about location of UCS

and how to make an appointment – walk student over if necessary

Mention how other students may have benefited from counseling

Follow-up with student

Reducing Stress

Deep breathing

Body scan

Progressive muscle relation

Guided imagery

Mindfulness training

Conclusion

Stress is a genuine concern when working with VCU students, especially when transitioning to a new environment

There are ways to recognize excessive stress and suicidality in students

Many techniques can be helpful in reducing stress

UCS Website – see our new Self-Help Page

“Like” us on Facebook

Where are the offices?On Monroe Park

Campus EStudent Commons907 Floyd Ave., Rm.

238

D On MCV Campus:Grant House1008 E. Clay Street,

B011