In addition to the above-mentioned characteristics, there are some guidelines to help you recognize the limits of your involvement in student support.

A referral is usually necessary when:

• The person presents a problem or requests information outside of your knowledge and experience.
• You feel that the difference in your personality with that of the person is great and will prevent you from helping as much as you would like.
• You feel troubled because of your relationship with the person
• The person feels hesitant to express themselves to you.
• You don't feel you have the ability to support the person.
• You don't have time because of your busy schedule and lack of time
• The person is attached to you and shows dependence.
• The problem is more difficult than you can handle.
• You helped as much as possible and you feel that the person needs specialized help
• Your feelings about the person prevent you from helping objectively

How is a referral made to the Student Development Center?

• Find out about the basic service provision of the KFA both for your own convenience for referral and for the reference of the specific office to the students.
• Call the KFA secretariat and speak to the relevant person or arrange a multi-topic meeting in which other members of the academic staff can also take part to discuss specific cases of concern to them.
• Your report to KFA will only take a few minutes.
• Expect the person's resistance to reach out for help.

What should the student expect from the counseling office?

It is preferable to arrange the meeting by contacting 
the student directly with the office. Urgent incidents will be given an appointment almost immediately. At the first meeting the person will read and sign the necessary forms and a case history will be taken. Then there will be a discussion about the way the KFA can cope with the individual's needs.
All cases are kept confidential. This does not apply in the case of immediate danger to the student or others and family violence.

If the student has doubts seek help from a counseling office

• Address positively the importance of accepting help and the support the University wishes to offer through the Counseling Office.
• Counselors are not "problems" or weak.
• If the person does not wish to cooperate with the Counseling Office, respect that so as not to cause a crisis in your relationship. Ask him to think about it and after some time ask what he has decided to show your continued interest.
• The person experiencing personal difficulties can visit the Counseling Office through a referral from the academic staff and there is no commitment to continue the cooperation after the first visit.
• It is helpful to mention to the student that the information is confidential and that after the start of the cooperation with the head of the Office, no specific information or details will be given to the specific person nor to the member of the Academic staff who made the report.
• Students and individuals in general usually react negatively to seeking help. Care and sensitivity are needed in expressing concern from the academic to the student.

References to death and suicide threats

If a person gives you details of the place, time and manner in which they will take their life, then immediate referral is necessary. During office hours contact the Counseling Office. During the rest of the hours, contact the Police Immediate Intervention at the telephone number 112, report the incident and do not let the student leave. Talk to him until help arrives.
Any reference to suicide must be taken seriously and it is not easy to distinguish whether a person is simply asking for attention or means a desire to end their life. The decision about the seriousness of the incident should not be made without discussion with a competent and qualified person.
People who are making an actual suicide attempt experience some of the following feelings. Attention should not be paid to only one nor all of the following necessarily mean a suicide attempt since they can coexist in various disorders.

• Desperation
• Indisposition
• Vanity
• Loss or threat of loss
• Decreased appetite,
• Mood swings
• Dealing with death
• Social isolation
• Apathy
• Reduced self-care
• Low self-esteem
• Verbal messages such as: "I'm going to kill myself", "I wish I would die", "I'm not the person I used to be", "The only way to escape is to die", "I want it all to end", "My life has no meaning" etc.

Auxiliary

• Take the incident seriously. The reference to you may be their warning
• Listen to what he has to say but don't assume a role that doesn't belong.
• Seek expert help immediately.
• Do not give out your mobile or personal phone number.

Not Helpful

• Let the case close on its own
• Don't promise not to mention anything to anyone
• Don't show shock and fear
• Do not provoke a reaction