Counseling Protocol for Faculty and Staff
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 postvention a high priority
- Maintain student confidentiality
- Understand that seeking mental health services is voluntary based on the student’s preferences and needs
Student Development Services recommend that students be referred to Counseling Services 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. If a psychological crisis occurs, consider the following:
If a student:
- Discloses plan to harm self
- Specifies method or possession of a 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 a Counselor or Campus Police
- DO NOT allow the student to leave your office or classroom alone
Options for assistance include:
- Student Referrals – Faculty or staff can refer students to Counseling Services. This program works in conjunction with community agencies/private providers when students need long-term care.
- Personal Counseling – Counselors 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. Counselors are located in the Goess Student Center, Room 170. All Counselors have a Masters Degrees in Counseling.
For more information, please contact one of the Counselors below:
Olivia Sutton, Coordinator, MS
Office: Goess Student Center (CFG), Room 171
Phone: (252) 493-7222
Email: omsutton339@my.pittcc.edu
Kim Riddick, Counselor, MBA
Office: Goess Student Center (CFG), Room 174
Phone: (252) 493-7848
Email: knriddick729@my.pittcc.edu
Karen Albrecht, Counselor, Accessibility Services, MS, CRC, LCMHC, LCAS
Office: Vernon White Building (VEW), Room 163
Phone: (252) 493-7603
Email: kcalbrecht842@my.pittcc.edu