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How do I refer a student to CAS? You can encourage students to call us at 225-216-8643 to discuss the registration process for services or use our online referral form to submit a referral.

Counseling is frequently linked to serious issues or challenges. Counseling & Accessibility Services (CAS) responsibility is to assist students in need, but we also place a strong emphasis on growth, prevention, and psychological wellbeing. Students occasionally could have trouble handling situations and you could encounter students who exhibit behaviors that vary from being moderately upset to being overtly disruptive. 

In many cases you will be able to respond effectively to the student's needs. However, there may be situations when you require more assistance and need CAS to respond or provide advice on how you may assist the student.

Identifying a Student in Distress

It is important to know that students often seek guidance from those who are most available to them - faculty and/or staff. However, sometimes students do not seek guidance because they are afraid or ashamed. Below are some guidelines for identifying students in distress:

Academic Indicators

  • repeated absences
  • missed assignments, exams, or appointments
  • deterioration in quality or quantity of work
  • extreme disorganization or quantity of work
  • continual seeking of special provisions (extensions on papers, make-up exams)
  • patterns of perfectionism (eg, can't accept themselves if they don't get an A+)
  • overblown or disproportionate response to grades or other evaluations

Behavioral and Emotional Indicators

  • direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or loss
  • seems frequently tired or sleeping during class
  • angry or hostile outbursts, yelling, or aggressive comments
  • more withdrawn or more animated than usual
  • expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness; crying or tearfulness
  • expressions of severe anxiety or irritability
  • excessively demanding or dependent behavior
  • lack of response to outreach from course staff

Here are some particulars to think about:

  • Talk in a quiet, private area away from others.
  • If you have noticed overt changes in the student's behavior, attendance, appearance, hygiene approach the subject by highlighting your observation and conveying concern and willingness to help. For example, you might say, "I've noticed that you haven't looked well the past few weeks. I am wondering if you are having any difficulties keeping up in school. I am wondering if I can help in any way."
  • Emphasize the fact that it takes considerable courage to acknowledge and face one’s difficulties.
  • Faculty/Staff need to maintain appropriate boundaries so that they do not learn or solicit more information than is necessary to make an appropriate suggestion to seek mental health services. Often, students in distress exhibit inappropriate or excessive help-seeking behavior that can be deleterious to the faculty-student relationship.
  • If you feel that stress or psychological functioning may be impacting the student, make them aware that CAS offers no cost services to students. Many students remain unaware that counseling/accessibility services are available to them.

The decision to seek counseling is always personal. If the student disagrees with your recommendation and/or declines to get help, and you still feel uneasy about the situation, contact CAS for a consultation appointment to discuss your concerns. Whether or not the student indicates a desire to get in touch with CAS, it is a good idea to check in with them later. CAS cannot reveal a student's participation in services due to confidentiality; however, the student is free to disclose such information to others if they so choose.

Baton Rouge Community College does not discriminate in its educational and employment policies and procedures with regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.