Student Counseling Center

Trust your instincts-even if you are not certain that a student is struggling, talking with them can be an important step in clarifying your concerns. It is better to be wrong and reach out to a student who does not need help than to ignore a student who is struggling. Check out "Common Causes, Signs, and Symptoms" to learn the signs that someone may need support.

Molloy students have many challenges to deal with during their time at Molloy University. In addition to academic stress, there may be other stressors such as being away from home, developing new relationships, handling the responsibilities of independent living, making a decision about a major, and career planning.

Stressors often manifest as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse, and poor academic performance. Early identification of such issues can be an important factor in keeping our students safe while helping them reach their full potential.

Common Stressors that Cause Distress

• Interpersonal relationship problems such as conflicts, illness/death of a loved one, divorce, abuse, romantic partner, family, parents etc. 
• Financial difficulties 
• Environmental adjustments, leaving home 
• Academic difficulties 
• Time management and organization difficulties 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Traumatic event 
• Substance abuse 
• Eating disorders

How to Identify Students in Distress

Are there signs of academic concern?

• Inability to complete class assignments or meet responsibilities as students, or expectations as student-athletes and/or student-workers 
• Inappropriate classroom, workplace, or team behavior including: being disruptive or uncooperative; demanding; habitually sleeping in class; making irrelevant, nonsensical, threatening and/or bizarre comments; interrupting lecturer, being unable to sit still and/or stop talking 
• Excessive absences, missing exams, missing work or team practices 
• Disturbing content in writing or presentations (e.g., extremes of hopelessness, social isolations, anger, rage, despair, suicide or death) 
• You find yourself doing more personal rather than academic counseling during office hours

Are there signs of physical concern?

• Deterioration in physical appearance including deterioration in grooming, hygiene 
• Wearing odd or bizarre clothing 
• Sudden weight loss 
• Excessive fatigue/ sleep disturbance/poor concentration 
• Alcohol or other drug abuse (red or swollen eyes, disorientation, smelling of alcohol) 
• Self-injurious behavior 

Are there signs of psychological concern?

• Direct or indirect statements by student of their intention to harm themselves or others 
• Direct or indirect statements that suggest hopelessness or worthlessness, and/or suicidal or homicidal ideation 
• Self-disclosure of personal distress that could include family problems, financial difficulties, grief, sexual abuse, domestic violence, being stalked, sexual assault, hate crimes, eating disorders, substance abuse, panic attacks, phobias, and/ or depression 
• Tearfulness 
• Excessive worry, anxiety, fear, or panic 
• Change in relationships (e.g., withdrawn, more animated than usual, excessive dependence on others)

Are there signs of safety concern?

• Unprovoked anger or hostility 
• Making implied or direct threats to harm self or others 
• Exhibiting erratic or unusual behavior 
• Peer expressions of concern 
• A gut-level reaction that something is wrong 

When possible, talk with the student in a private and calm space. Choose a time when you are free of pressing responsibilities or distractions. Give the student time to talk about their situation. Be patient and supportive. Listen without judgment, assumptions, or interruptions. Take what they are saying seriously. Listening is a critical component of helping.

During this conversation, or in follow-up conversations, you may realize that a student needs more help than you are able or willing to provide. You may also notice:

• You have already talked to the student and their problem is not getting better
• You find yourself feeling responsible for the student
• You feel pressure to solve their problems
• You feel you are over-extending yourself in helping the student
• You feel that the problems a student brings to you are more than you can handle
• You feel anxious when the student approaches you

The SCC is a great place to start. Share your recommendation with the student in a straightforward manner and emphasize your concern for the student. Provide the student with a brochure of the SCC. (Contact the SCC office for more brochures).

If a student is hesitant to seek help, it can be useful to discuss any reservations or resistance a student might have to your referral. Are they concerned about stigma? Do they hold stereotypes about counseling? Have they had a previously negative counseling experience? Do they know anyone who has been helped by counseling?

A student might not know that SCC services are confidential and free, and that many students find even a few sessions very helpful. Open discussion may provide some relief (especially if a student fears being judged by you) and may address some of the student's reluctance. It may also take some time for a student to agree to seek help. That's okay. Unless you are concerned for their safety, you can allow a student to decide when they are ready.

In this case, please call the SCC and alert us to the fact that you would like to send over a student. Alerting us will let us know that the student should be seen immediately, rather than waiting for the next available appointment. 

For after-hours and weekends, please contact Public Safety (516)343-3500 to be connected with a trained Administrator On-Call. 

Contact Public Safety at (516)323-3500 if on RVC Main Campus. For all other Molloy University off-site locations, call 9-1-1. 

You are certainly free to ask the student to give you feedback regarding their following through with contacting the SCC. However, please be aware that without a signed authorization, we cannot divulge any information about a student's contact with us, as we are legally and ethically bound by confidentiality.