1. HELPING STUDENTS IN DISTRESS
CRISIS COUNSELING SERVICES
HELPING STUDENTS IN DISTRESS
Carol Kimbrough, MA, MFT
Clinical Supervisor
March 2016

2. HELPING THE STUDENT IN DISTRESS
Students encounter a wide range of problems and responsibilities as they complete their studies at Hartnell.
Some bring emotional problems with them.
Many serious psychological problems have a typical onset during college-age years.

3. CRISIS: anything that interferes with academic success.
We know that many students attempt to cope with studies, full-time jobs and raising children while they attend Hartnell.
Many feel overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, and hopeless.
A high percentage of our students are the first in their family to attend college; although the family system may support the concept of college, the reality of college life may not be understood by family members.

4. Crisis Counseling Services
Suicide is a major threat to college-age young adults. There are a number of reasons why our students may come to feel helpless and hopeless:
Break up of a close relationship or marriage
Difficulties in interpersonal relationships with family or close friends
Worry about grades or failure in life
Concerns over physical appearance and personal attractiveness
Loss of support systems
Pessimistic about the future and achieving life goals
Compounding and disorienting effects of drugs and/or alcohol
Just feeling lonely, isolated or abandoned

5. Traumatic Issues
There are a number of issues that can be extremely traumatic and precipitate an emotional crisis:
Assault, rape
Unexpected pregnancy
Abuse
Alcohol or drug abuse
Eating disorders
Anxiety
Anger management
HIV diagnosis or serious illness
Death of a family member or friend
Divorce or separation

6. Crisis Counseling Services
Free and confidential counseling services provided to enrolled students
Five Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) or Clinical Social Worker (CSW) interns provide counseling services
Appointment basis and walk-in hours
Services often help students stay enrolled in their academic programs
Screening for students who may pose a threat to themselves or others
Interventions for students referred by Student Life or Student Affairs
Work under supervision of licensed MFT/ Hartnell full-time faculty

7. Need for Additional Office Space
Five interns plus one supervisor > 3 offices
Direct student services
Documentation/process notes (client files) required by law
File storage (confidential)
Individual supervision and case review
Research and client advocacy for community referrals
Maintain a safe, quiet confidential “waiting area”
Reduce wait list
(emergencies don’t wait!)

8. Hartnell Strategic Priorities
#1, Student Success
Services help to keep students enrolled in classes rather than dropping out
Compliance with state and federal mandates for mental health support for college students
Mentioned in SSSP, SEP College Plans
#6, Partnerships with Industry, Business, Agencies, and Education
Partnerships with Brandman University, CSUMB and other graduate programs for MFTs and LCSWs
Development of local work force after licensure

9. Questions???? Thank you!!! Carol Kimbrough, ckimbrough@hartnell.edu
Crisis Counseling Services 24-hour voic
D-123, -124, -126