Presentation to the Center for Teaching Excellence Katie Ganske, Ph.D. & Tamara D Anjou Turner, Ph.D.

March 8th, 2011

Topics Covered Today

y Counseling Center services y Signs of distress y Referring students to counseling y Reporting/referring students to the Dean of Students

Student Concern Team (DSSCT) y Outcomes of referring students to the DSSCT

GGC Counseling Center

Located in the

Wellness and Recreation Center (Building F) Separate exterior entrance Services are confidential and free to all students

Services
y Initial assessment y Referrals to community providers y Group counseling y Stress Management y Depression y Crisis management

Signs of Distress: Counseling Referral

y Depression
y y y

y y

Difficulty concentrating or focusing in class Social withdrawal Poor class attendance and/or significant change in academic performance Depressed mood Diminished hygiene

y Anxiety
y Generalized y Symptoms of Panic y Test Anxiety

How to Refer a Student to Counseling

y Speak with student privately y Share your concerns, focus on student s behavior y Attempt to empathize with student s condition y Let them know about the Counseling Center
y Remind them that it is free and confidential

y Attempt to destigmatize seeking help y If you need assistance at any step of the referral, feel free to contact Counseling Center Staff

Contact Information
Katie Ganske, Ph.D. Director of Counseling & Psychological Services Licensed Psychologist kganske@ggc.edu Tamara D Anjou Turner, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist tdanjout@ggc.edu

678-407-5592 www.ggc.edu/counseling

Dean of Students Student Concerns Team (DSSCT)

y A multi-disciplinary group of professionals whose purpose is meeting regularly to review reports of student behavior perceived to be concerning, disruptive, and/or threatening.

Procedures: y DSSCT receives reports of disruptive or concerning behaviors of students, reviews for common themes, and recommends appropriate intervention action to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs.

Signs of Distress: DSSCT Referral

y Disorderly or substantially y y Stalking behavior pursuing y y y

y y y y

disruptive behavior Verbally aggressive behavior expressing uncontrollable anger or hostility Unusual, bizarre, or disturbing behavior Threat of violence or physical harm Destructive behavior causing damage to property Act/s of violence striking, pushing, or assaulting another person Possession of a weapon

y y

another person Transportation to the hospital for alcohol and drug use/abuse; Evidence of self-harming behaviors Reports of suicidal thoughts and/or attempts y Direct expressions y Indirect or non-verbal Other behaviors that indicate a student is in acute personal distress. All signs of suicide, violence, and aggression should be taken seriously.

Outcomes of Referral to DSSCT

Outcomes: y Provide centralized system for reporting and maintaining records of concerning behaviors of students y Review submitted reports and gather additional information as necessary y Referral to on and off-campus resources to positively address concerns y Utilize expertise of team of professionals to recommend appropriate intervention to AVPSA y AVPSA will work with other administrators and make decisions on how to proceed with students y Students may be referred to on-campus resources including Dean of Students, Office of Disability Services, Counseling Center y If Code of Conduct has been violated, student will participate in conduct process through Office of Student Conduct y Student may be temporarily removed from campus

DSSCT Members
y Tomas Jimenez, Dean of Students (Chair) y Jennifer Arrocena, Director of Disability Services y Katie Ganske, Ph.D., Director, Counseling and Psychological Services y Todd Harris, General Manager of Housing y Alexis Iffert, Director of Student Conduct y Ray Rawlins, Campus Police Lieutenant

How to Make a Report to DSSCT

y Online reporting form

www.ggc.edu/concernsreport y Contact any member of the team y If situation is urgent or threatening, contact Public Safety at x5333
y

Jennifer Arrocena jarrocena@ggc.edu x5883 Katie Ganske, Ph.D. kganske@ggc.edu x5592

Todd Harris tharris6@ggc.edu x5510 Alexis Iffert aiffert@ggc.edu x5760

Tomas Jimenez tjimenez@ggc.edu x5662 Ray Rawlins rrawlin1@ggc.edu 770-656-0342