Psychological Counselling Service – Referral

When a student is going through stress, unstable emotion or unusual behaviors may be observed. It’s always a signal for help!

Welcome to refer them to us for psychological counselling. We are also happy to discuss with you whether a referral is necessary and how to present the referral to the students. 

An indication that a referral may be needed:

• Need for better self-understanding, to enhance interpersonal relationships, to explore and develop potentials, and to improve emotional wellness;
• Sudden changes in school performance, e.g. a serious drop in grades and class attendance;
• Marked changes in body weight, personal grooming, and hygiene;
• Unusual or exaggerated emotional response which is inappropriate to the situation;
• Feeling difficulty in adjusting to university life and powerless in coping with problems;
• Feeling sad, anxious, stressed, or troubled for a long period;
• Highly disruptive behaviour (hostile, aggressive, or violent);
• Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, slurred speech; unconnected or disjointed thoughts);
• Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things which “aren’t there”; beliefs that are greatly at odds with reality or probability);
• Threats of self-harm or harm to others (Call 999 immediately in case of emergency).

Special remarks for making referrals:

• It is usually helpful that you discuss the possibility of using a psychological counselling service with the student before making a referral. An anonymous referral often makes it difficult for our psychological counsellor to develop trust with the student. Most students appreciate candid caring and support from people around them in their times of difficulty.
• Except in dangerous situations, e.g. threats of self-harm or harm to others, the decision to accept or reject the referral is ultimately the student’s.
• A referral may be made for consultation purposes, where our psychological counsellor meets with the student, makes an assessment, and offers recommendations to the staff member who made the referral.
• A referral may be made for counselling purposes, where our psychological counsellor meets with the student, makes an assessment, develops a treatment plan, and begins the counselling process.
• Under the obligation of confidentiality, all student information is kept strictly confidential. Our psychological counsellor is unable to disclose any information about the student to anyone, including the staff member who made the referral, without written consent from the student. If the referrer wants to know about the counselling progress of the student, please contact the student directly.
• If you need immediate support during non-office hours, please contact the University Security Centre (Tel: 8822 4000). The student in need may also use the 24-hour Macau Caritas Life Hope Hotline (Tel: 2852 5222 / 2852 5777) or the Emergency Room (Tel:999) in case of emergency.
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The following are the referral guidelines For Psychological Counselling Services: 

Psychological Counselling Service

Opening Hours 
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am – 1:00p.m.; 2:00p.m. – 5:45p.m. 
Friday: 9:00am – 1:00p.m.; 2:00p.m. – 5:30p.m.

Our Counselling Rooms
Address: Room 2009, 2nd Floor, Student Activity Centre (E31)
Tel. 8822 9000
Email: sao.counsellor@um.edu.mo

Welcome to visit our website for details:
https://scs.sao.um.edu.mo