Student Assistance Program (SAP) Faculty/Staff Referral Protocol
The 2006 National College Health Assessment reports almost 44% of college and university students reported a level of depression during some point of the year such that they found it “difficult” to function. In the face of academic pressures, financial struggles, and other factors, college students need options for counseling and support. With regard to personal counseling and mental health services at PCC, the Division of Student Development Services recommends to faculty and staff the following practices:
- Acknowledge but do not stigmatize mental health problems
- Encourage students to seek help and make suicide prevention, intervention, and post-vention a high priority
- Maintain student confidentiality
- Understand that seeking mental health is voluntary based on the student’s preferences and needs
Student Development Services recommends that students be referred to the Student Assistance Program if the student may be exhibiting signs of depression, social alienation, drugs and alcohol, anger management, issues related to low self esteem, eating disorders, sleep disorders, mood changes, anxiety, grief, or suicidal ideation or expression.
PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH A STUDENT IN CRISIS
If a psychological crisis occurs, consider the following:
If a student:
- Discloses plan to harm self
- Specifies method or possession of weapon
- Shares feelings of hopelessness, feeling trapped, burden to others, sense of failure, etc.
- Reveals previous attempts of suicide
You should:
- Ask who to contact on their behalf
- Tell them you are calling someone who can help
- Keep the student engaged in conversation after calling for a SAP Counselor or Campus Police
- DO NOT allow the student to leave your office or classroom alone
Pitt Community College’s Student Assistance Program (SAP) Coordinator is Ty Davis, Counselor. Mrs. Davis has a Masters Degree in Counseling, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in North Carolina. She is the first point of contact for all faculty/staff referrals. She is located in the Goess Student Center, Room 120 and her telephone extension is #7371.
If Mrs. Davis is not available, please contact one of the following members of the SAP Team: Kimberly Williamson (ext. 7217), Olivia Sutton (ext. 7222), or Leslie Rogers (ext. 7322).
Options for assistance include:
- Student Assistance Program – students in need of counseling can be seen on campus by one of the SAP Counselors. Faculty or staff can refer students to SAP or a student in need can self-refer to the SAP Coordinator. SAP has qualified counselors available on campus. This program works in conjunction with a community agency/private provider for additional free counseling services when students need long-term counseling or mental health services. Students may receive up to 3 free visits per academic year (exceptions made by the Vice President for SDS).
- Test Anxiety and Academic Difficulties – Assistance with test anxiety and other academic success concerns is available through the Tutorial and Academic Success Center (TASC).
- Personal Counseling – Ty Davis, Olivia Sutton, and Kimberly Williamson are available to assist students who do not require long term counseling or mental health services but are in need of brief solution focused counseling. The Personal SAP Counselors are located in the Goess Center, Room 120. Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Sutton and Dr. Williamson all have Masters Degrees in Counseling.
For additional information on this program and its services, please contact the Program Coordinator.
- Contact Campus Police at 493-7777 for Emergency Assistance -
