Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS)

Services for Faculty and Staff

• Massage Therapy

• Consultation, Outreach, and Peer Educational Programs (C.O.P.E.)

Resources for Faculty and Staff

Did you know that over 40% of UC Davis students report experiencing negative academic impacts as a result of stress? As a faculty member, lecturer, TA or staff person you are in a unique position to positively impact the health and well-being of UC Davis students. Check out these resources for easy ways that you can help connect students to valuable campus resources.

As a faculty or staff member, you are in an excellent position to assess the emotional states of students. If you notice a student acting in a manner you consider peculiar or appearing distraught, you may wish to provide support to that student.

Many students experience extensive changes in their lives while in college. Students may leave their homes, communities, and even their home cultures to live independently, many for the first time. In college they must make key career and life decisions while developing the judgment that marks their maturation from adolescents to young adults. Students must also manage the special challenges of academics. Under these difficult circumstances, students may find their personal resources strained.

When distressing circumstances are significantly affecting a student's well-being or ability to make satisfactory academic progress and that student asks you to discuss the situation, do the following:

• Convey concern, support and encouragement
• Provide the student with information regarding the situation, your class, etc.
• Help the student locate resources needed to resolve the problem
• Provide reassurance as appropriate
• Set limits on the student's behavior if there are any signs of aggression
• Stick to the limits that you set
• When appropriate, have another person come into your office to provide you with support or to assess the situation

Faculty are not expected to provide counseling. Staff at CAPS are trained to assess and intervene with emotional problems and disorders. In some interactions with emotionally distraught students, you may wish to refer them to CAPS. You may also call CAPS during our normal hours of operation to consult with one of our On Duty Counselors regarding the situation.

Tips for Faculty and Staff

• Helping Dangerous Students

• Responding to Distressed and Distressing Students (PDF)

Consultation, Outreach and Peer Educational Programs (C.O.P.E.)

The Counseling and Psychological Services staff is available by telephone or by appointment to offer consultation to students, staff, and faculty to discuss students who are experiencing difficulties.

Our staff is also available to offer a psychological perspective in the planning and implementation of various educational programs, as well as, to provide workshops and presentations to the campus community during the academic year at no charge.

Commonly Requested Topics

Stress Management, Consultation and Psychological Services, Mental Health Issues Identification, Relationship/Dating Issues, Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Time Management, Coping with Anxiety, Diversity Awareness, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, Eating Disorders, LGBT Issues, Understanding Depression, Gender Issues

Requesting a Workshop or Presentation

When requesting a workshop or presentation, we are asking your assistance in helping us provide quality programs by giving us at least two weeks notice. The minimum number of participants for our programs is 10. The type of program being requested will determine the maximum number of participants.

Please note: our programs are provided between the hours of 8 AM to 6 PM unless other arrangements have been made.

To request a program, or for specific questions concerning consultation, outreach, and educational programs, please contact Diana Davis, Ph.D. (dldavis@ucdavis.edu), Director, Consultation, Outreach & Peer Education Services.

In addition to the topics listed in our Commonly Requested Topics section above, our staff is available to answer questions within their specialty area(s). For this service, please contact the staff identified with the particular interest area.

Distressed and Distressing Students Program

Faculty and staff play a central role in a student's college experience and are in a direct position to become aware when a student is distressed. This workshop will help you understand the components of this critical role: identifying, responding to and referring distressed students.
Responding to Distressed and Distressing Students - An Information Booklet (PDF)