Summary and further resources
Life is inherently stressful and moderate amounts of stress can be motivating and energising. However, high levels of stress can be debilitating and impede academic performance. University staff can play a very important role in helping students to cope with the stress in their lives and helping to resolve their problems. Often just listening to a student and showing that you are concerned is all that is required to alleviate an acute but temporary crisis.
By being aware of the symptoms and behaviours that are indicative of serious emotional or psychological distress, and of the appropriate support services available to students, you can also help prevent a student's problems escalating or leading to academic failure.
The final sections of this guide list a range of support and advice services available to the University and the community. The University's Staff Development Unit offers regular workshops useful for personal tutors and other members of staff; they can be contacted on ext 3953 or see http://www.bath.ac.uk/staff-development/.
The following publication may also be of interest to personal tutors:
C.Lago and G.Shipton (1995) : Personal Tutoring in Action: a handbook for staff involved in working with and supporting students. Sheffield University Counselling Service.
Copies may be borrowed from the Head of Student Services' Office, from the Staff Development Office, or purchased directly from the Counselling Service at Sheffield for approximately £10.