If you are worried about a student, we welcome your call. The Psychological Counseling Center (PCC) staff provides assistance to students, friends, family members, administrators, professional staff, faculty, and other staff of the campus community regarding students who may be struggling. Phone calls and in-person consultation with those who are concerned about a student are a regular part of PCC's services to the college community.
Please contact the PCC promptly at 845-257-2920 if you have significant concerns about a student. For crisis support after hours and on the weekend, concerned parties should call the PCC and follow the automated prompts to reach our answering service. Ask to be connected to the PCC "Emergency Contact for Student Consult" (ECSC); the answering service will in turn alert a PCC clinician. This clinician will return your call promptly.
If a student is an immediate danger to themselves or others, contact University Police at 845-257-2222 or dial 911.
Sometimes a student's change in behavior may seem minor, but may actually indicate significant distress. The PCC values a proactive approach in maintaining a safe living and learning community.
When a family member, faculty/staff, or friend contacts the PCC with concerns about a student, we will listen to your concerns and provide suggestions about how to help the student. In most situations, the PCC staff member acts as a consultant to the person calling, helping that person respond more effectively to the student of concern. PCC staff may make recommendations as to how to speak with the student and how to refer them to the Psychological Counseling Center. Students have said that referrals to the PCC have enabled them to cope more favorably with their difficulties and have helped them successfully remain in school.
If your concern is that your student may be suicidal or in imminent danger, PCC staff may liaison with residence life staff, other involved parties, and/or the student directly, to provide immediate support.
The following topics are typical of those that PCC staff have discussed with callers who have expressed concerns about a New Paltz student:
- Talk of suicide and/or suicidal behaviors
- Writing about suicide, feeling like a burden, or not going on
- Roommate problems
- Relationship breakup
- Homesickness
- Difficulty transitioning to college
- Unwanted sexual experiences
- Stress/Anxiety
- Academic failure/Change in academic performance
- Acting out in the classroom
- Grief
- Family-related crisis or issues
- Concerning changes in physical appearance
- Bizarre behavior/Illogical thoughts
- Unusual irritability
- Alcohol/Substance abuse
Concerned parties can also submit information to the Office of Student Affairs via the Student of Concern Reporting Form. Any questions about the reporting forms may be directed to the Office of Student Affairs at 845-257-3260. Please be advised that reports are received and reviewed only during business hours (M-F 8:30-5:00pm during the academic year). It may take up to two business days to respond.
If you decide to talk with the student directly, it’s best to be honest, caring, and supportive. Describe clearly, concretely, and specifically what it is about their behavior that concerns you. Remember – you do not need to be the one to solve their issues, but you can let them know that help is available and encourage them to talk with a PCC counselor. You can even offer to call together with the student, or walk with them to the PCC to make an appointment.
A Note About Confidentiality
There have been occasions when friends, family members, and faculty/staff have referred a student to the PCC, and then wanted a follow-up contact from the PCC counselor to confirm that the student came for an appointment. Counselors are bound by legal and ethical guidelines to maintain client confidentiality. Thus, friends, family members, and campus staff should be aware that PCC counselors cannot report whether a student is coming for services without the student's consent. Read more about confidentiality.
