faculty/staff guide for student referrals

Many students seek support with the encouragement of faculty, staff, friends, family, or other trusted people in their support system. This guide is designed to give you the information needed to make a referral for mental health support.

When should I refer a student for mental health support?

Generally, it is a good idea to suggest mental health support if a student appears to be experiencing depression, anxiety, or a significant relational conflict, exhibiting disruptive behavior, or is in some type of crisis. Clues to these problems might include a marked change in the student’s quality of work or appearance, report of experiencing a significant traumatic event, or hints that the student drops in conversation that elicit significant concern for the student, such as “I don’t think I can go on like this anymore.” 

How does a student get connected with mental health support?

ORU Counseling Services provides Walk-In Wellness, offering brief 25-minute support sessions, first-come first-serve, in the Student Life department, located on the 3rd floor of the LRC in between the coffee shop and the hall of mirrors. To be eligible for a walk-in session, you must be a currently enrolled ORU student. Each student has access to up to two 25-minute Walk-In Wellness sessions per semester. Walk-In Wellness is offered during regular business hours only. For information on Walk-In Wellness hours, see our counseling.oru.edu homepage. 

What do I do when a student in crisis shows up in my office or job site?

If a student shows up in your office in an emotional crisis, listen and show that you care, and see if you can determine the degree of urgency in the situation. If the student is emotional but is not experiencing any urgent needs or safety concerns that would need to be addressed immediately, you are welcome to refer to the instructions listed in the previous paragraphs sections to help get the student connected with mental health support.

If a student is in an urgent crisis or has disclosed current thoughts of suicide or other pressing safety concerns that would need to be addressed that day, please remain with the student, call ORU Security at 918-495-7750 to notify them of the situation making sure to describe what was disclosed to you and your urgent concerns about the student, and timely in-person Student Life support will be provided.

Does ORU Counseling Services ever refer students for off-campus counseling?

Yes, sometimes our therapists might not have openings available that fit with a particular student’s schedule. Other times a student might be best served by specialized treatment not offered by our own counselors. Any student who we are not able to provide counseling for is given a list of Tulsa Area Resources with a variety of options of other therapists and community resources the student is welcome to pursue.

How do I know if students I’ve referred actually come for support?

ORU Counseling Services must honor students’ privacy and confidentiality, which means that we are not able to communicate to you if the student you referred has attended a mental health support session or not unless that student signs a release form for us to be able to communicate that information to you.

In summary:

If you believe that a student is in need of mental health support:

1. Check on the student, stating “I noticed… and I’m wondering how you’re doing.”
2. Let the student know that ORU has resources available to talk to students who are going through a hard time.
3. Offer to show the student our counseling.oru.edu page with information on Walk-In Wellness and Mental Health Resources tab for counseling resources outside of ORU.
4. For assistance with mental health support resources and care, please contact the Care Team Coordinator in Student Life at elthompson@oru.edu or 918-495-6704. This line is available during business hours Monday-Friday 9 AM-4:30 PM.

If you judge that a student is in an urgent crisis or might be at immediate risk of harm and needs an assessment completed that day:

1. Remain with the student until you are able to get them connected with help. Call ORU Department of Public Safety and Security at 918-495-7750 to notify them of the situation making sure to describe what was disclosed to you and your urgent concerns about the student.
2. If you are with a student who has expressed urgent needs or safety concerns that need to be addressed immediately, please call TimelyCare CrisisNow at 918-495-7700, which provides free, 24/7 mental health crisis support for students who are physically on campus. You may also call COPES at 918-744-4800, a crisis outreach hotline with mental health professionals available by phone 24/7. If you or the student are in a life-threatening emergency or if there is immediate risk of death, please call 911.