How to Help

How to Help Your Students

What to Do

• Be available. Let your residents know that they can come to you before problems arise.
• Be aware. Pay attention to behavior changes. Talk to the resident's roommate, if possible, to confirm there have been changes. Talk to the resident to understand what is happening.
• Take problems seriously. Do not trivialize problems even if they seem unimportant to you. (e.g., failing grades, relationship breakup, etc.)
• Listen. Be willing to give your time to your residents. If concerned, ask directly if they have thought of harming or killing themselves.
• Explain options. Let your residents know there is help available for them. (e.g., Personal Counseling Center)
• Stay available. Continue to let residents know you are available.

What NOT to Do

• Don't try to shock or challenge. ("Yeah, right. You're not going to do it.")
• Don't analyze the person's motives. (You're just upset, because…")
• Don't argue or try to reason. ("You can't kill yourself, because…")
• Don't use guilt. ("Think of how bad your parents will feel.")
• Don't console WITHOUT listening. ("I know how you feel. I flunked chemistry, too, but everything will work out.")
• Don't abandon the student once they are receiving professional help.

Note: Students in emotional distress should always be taken seriously. During the day, contact the Personal Counseling Center at 829-7819. In the evening or during the weekend, call Crisis Services at 834-3131.

Personal Counseling Center
Campus location: 631 Niagara St., 2nd FL
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Evening Hours by Appointment
Phone: (716) 829-7819

Kim Zittel, LMHC, NCC
Director, Personal Counseling Center
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
National Certified Counselor

Tim Bronson, Psy.D., LMHC, NCC
Personal Counselor, Personal Counseling Center
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
National Certified Counselor

Isabel Molina, APRN BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

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