Advice For Faculty/Staff

Counseling and Wellness Center is committed to working in collaboration with teaching / non-teaching staff in supporting students' personal development.  Our Student Counselors care much about the mental health well-being of every student, especially when students are under academic, emotional, interpersonal, family concerns or any other difficulties.

 

You may refer to this Guidebook in supporting students with personal concerns.  A simple Guideline is also available for easy reference.  We welcome Referral of students in need of support whenever you consider appropriate.  Our Center also provides regular Psychological Education Activities / Training from time to time.  Please do contact us or consult the 24/7 HEARing Helpline accordingly.

 

Psychological Education Activities / Training

The Counseling and Wellness Center offers staff sharing sessions and Mental Health First Aid Course for staff and students every year.  You are most welcomed to join our Upcoming Events.  Theme-based training for Schools / Programs Offices on specific topics and concerns can also be arranged.  Please contact us if you have any ideas in mind.

 

When and How to Make A Referral?

WHEN ......

 

  • The student asks for assistance with a problem that is outside my expertise or responsibility.

  • Helping the student with the problem would compromise or change the status of my relationship with him/her, e.g., asking for money or a place to live.

  • The student is repeatedly reluctant to discuss his/her problem with me.

  • The assistance and support I have already provided do not seem to solve the student's problem effectively.

  • I feel overwhelmed and overly responsible for or worried about the well-being of the student.

  • The student and I have personality differences or conflicts that cannot be resolved and may interfere with the helping process.

HOW ......

 

  • In a caring and supportive manner, share with the student that he/she may benefit from seeking professional counseling to cope with his/her situation.

  • Explain to the student that personal counseling is confidential.

  • With the student's consent, please fill out the online Referral Form.
    Or

  • Encourage the student to Make An Appointment online.  Please also keep track on the appointment status with the student.

  • If needed, please accompany the student to Counseling and Wellness Center (Room 5003, 5/F via Lift 3).  You may also contact us at 2358 6696 in advance.

 

 

STAFF REFERRAL FORM

 

Staff Counseling Service

As an employer caring for the well-being of staff members and believing that enhanced wellness will benefit both colleagues themselves and the University, the Human Resources Office of the University has continued to appoint Vital Employee Service Consultancy (Vital) (盈力僱員服務顧問), previously known as Christian Family Service Center, to provide personal counseling service to staff and their immediate family members.  For more information about this consultancy service and its newsletters, you are welcome to visit HRO webpage.

Why are counseling services private and confidential?

When students decide to meet with a counselor, they need sufficient emotional support to manage their life adversities and mental health concerns. A student may be going through stressful experiences, traumatic life events, fear of judgement and an emotional roller coaster ride of mental health symptoms. They may feel embarrassed, vulnerable or a sense of shame, and may be reluctant to share their private feelings and secrets if they do not feel safe and comfortable in the counseling environment. It is of utmost importance for a counselor to gain trust from a student and build rapport with them to ensure the effectiveness of counseling/psychotherapy. Sometimes, the discussion may involve substance abuse, sexual activity, and concerns about other behaviors that might violate the student conduct code.

Counseling/psychotherapy is considered confidential to protect students’ personal experiences and the therapeutic relationship. Nevertheless, there are exceptions that confidentiality would not be upheld, particularly if the counselor is significantly concerned about the safety of student or someone else that the student is talking about.