Make a Referral

If you are unsure of how to proceed in a specific situation involving a student in distress, we encourage you to refer to the Resource Guide: Working With Student's That Need Assistance.

As a referring person, you are the first step in the counseling process. Your approach toward the student and your attitude about counseling are of major importance. Many first-time clients have strong apprehensions about counseling. They are concerned about what others may think; they feel they should be able to "handle their own problems;" they are concerned about confidentiality; they are concerned that seeking a counselor might mean that they are crazy.  Encouragement from you goes a long way.

  • Suggest in a caring, concerned and forthright manner that the student talk with a counselor.
  • Describe to the student the behaviors which are of concern to you.
  • Inform student the services through the Health and Counseling Center are free and that confidentiality is paramount. You may wish to reassure the student that the staff at the Health and Counseling Center are competent and well-trained professionals.
  • Give the student the Health and Counseling Center phone number (574-284-4805) and location (50 Holy Cross Hall).
  • You are welcome to help the student call Health and Counseling Center if you desire. However, you cannot schedule an appointment on behalf of the student.
  • Sometimes it might be a few days before a counselor is available. Therefore, it is extremely important that you inform the Health and Counseling Center if you consider the situation one that requires immedicate attention. Such emergencies are responded to immediately.
  • If you want to talk to a HCC staff member about a student, get the student's permission to do so if possible.
  • Remember that changing basic attitudes and feelings, learning to handle everyday problems or improving academic erformance may be a process which moves slowly.
  • Respect the individual. You and the counselor help by providing a variety of alternative solutions and assistance in problem solving. Remember, the student may choose to either ignore or accept the help available. It is ultimately the student's decision.
  • You may find it helpful to direct the student the to the Health and Counseling portal page for further information.
  • Feel free to give us any information that you believe would be important for us to know in working with the student; however, please keep in mind that even if you are the initial person who refers the student here, services at Health and Counseling are confidential, and we are not at liberty to provide you with any follow-up information, including whether or not the student showed up for the appointment, what was discussed during their session, or whether or not she will be receiving ongoing counseling.  Feel free to contact the Health and Counseling Center Director, Izzy Fourman at (574) 284-4805.  A brief conversation may help you sort out the relevant issues, explore ways to approach the student, and identify appropriate resources.