Transcript Counseling
COUNSELING SERVICES Retention Liability RETENTION Studies show that students receiving counseling services are more likely to stay in school than students who don’t receive counseling services.1, 2 Quarterly evaluations indicate that our services help students stay enrolled, rating of 4.6 out of 5. More students are coming to college with mental health issues, often times requiring psychotropic medications.3, 4 WHAT DO COUNSELORS DO THAT IMPACT RETENTION? Provide short-term counseling and crisis intervention that addresses any and all issues that are impacting academic performance and/or overall functioning. Fall 2013 – Spring 2015 # of appointments 1661 # of crises/drop-ins 206 Counselors help students identify problem issues, steps they can take to resolve those issues, and resources they can access to help them resolve issues. As students’ issues become more severe and complex, problem resolution also becomes more complex often requiring collaboration. Fall 2013 – Spring 2015 Suicidal ideation 119 Homicidal ideation 16 Harm to others ideation 57 Self harm 49 Suicide is the third leading cause of death on college campuses. Participate on the Behavior Intervention Team (BIT): provide consultation and intervention for distressed students and/or students of concern. Offer workshops on topics like study and time management skills, test anxiety, stress management, how to have healthy relationships. Consult and collaborate with faculty, staff, students, other mental health and medical providers, and parents regarding distressed students, students of concern. Fall 2013– Spring 2015 # of consultations 499 Outreach to other mental health providers in order to be able to provide relevant referrals. Participate on campus committees. Participate in Student Affairs activities. Participate in division activities: Attend division meetings Observe adjuncts Participate on instruction-related committees LIABILITY Institutions continue to be under increasing scrutiny regarding how they address students’ mental health issues and needs. The International Association of Counseling Services has recommended a counselor to student ratio of: 1 counselor: 1,000 – 1,500 students5 At GRC between Fall 2013 – Spring 2015, the average headcount of students per quarter was 6,188. GRC ratio of counselors to students: 1 counselor: 2,602 students THE IMPACT OF HAVING MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS Students who receive mental health counseling are more likely to stay enrolled. Faculty, students, and staff have access to mental health services and support. Counselors are trained to respond to crisis situations. Counselors connect students with much needed resources both on campus and in the community. REFERENCES 1 Lee, D., Olson, E. A., Locke, B., Testa Michelson, S., & Odes, E. (2009). The Effects of College Counseling Services on Academic Performance and Retention. Journal of College Student Development, 50 (3), 305 – 319. 2 Turner, A. L. & Berry, T. R. (2000). Counseling Center Contributions to Student Retention and Graduation: A Longitudinal Assessment. Journal of College Student Development, 41 (6), 627 – 636. 3 Gallagher, P. (2010). National Survey of College Counseling. Retrieved from http://www.iacsinc.org/NSCCD%202012.pdf. 4 American College Health Association (2012). Reference Group Executive Summary Spring 2012. Retrieved from http://www.acha-ncha.org/docs/ACHA-NCHAII_ReferenceGroup_ExecutiveSummary_Spring2012.pdf . 5 The International Association of Counseling Services. Statement Regarding Recommended Staff to Student Ratios. Retrieved from http://www.iacsinc.org/Statement%20Regarding%20Ratios.pdf.