The Referral Process

Referring someone to professional help is a process that should be handled with care and sensitivity. You've already laid the groundwork by being an active listener and sharing empathy. As mentioned in the lesson video, your presence can be very helpful as the individual considers their next steps.

Referring Someone to Professional Help

Let's look at steps we should take as we consider referring them for professional help.

1. Have an open and honest conversation. Before making a referral, have a candid discussion with the individual about why you think professional help is necessary.
2. Work to identify the right resource. Whether it's a primary care physician, a mental health counselor, or another specialist, help the person identify the best resource for their needs.
3. Offer to Assist. Offer to help schedule the appointment or accompany them if they're comfortable.
4. Be sure to follow-up. After the referral, check in to provide emotional support and to see if further assistance is needed.

Best Practices

There are some best practices we can take when making a referral.  Keep these in mind as you seek to assist:

• Be Respectful: The decision to seek professional help is a personal one; offer your suggestion respectfully.
• Be Specific: The more specific you can be about why you're making the referral, the easier it will be for the other person to understand your concerns.
• Maintain Confidentiality: The individual's personal issues should remain private unless there's an immediate safety concern that requires intervention.

Critical Questions

The video highlights three crucial questions you should ask if you suspect the situation is urgent:

1. Are you having thoughts of suicide or homicide?
2. Do you have a plan to carry this out?
3. Do you have a means to carry out this plan?

If the answer to any of these is 'yes,' immediate action is necessary.