need advice on handling a student...

[muziq]

Originally Posted by loki

thanks, I think I'll talk to them but sinec he came to me I'd rather have him just talk to me. If he felt he could trust the counsler ect I feel like he'd have gone to them...I just feel so bad for this kid

If you approach the student with respect and tell him you think there are people (the counselors) who have the ability to help and want to help, this may help build the trust that makes him feel safe getting help from a counselor. As a teacher I'm sure you've seen that kids go to the people they know, not the function they need (i.e. they know you as the teacher because they see you every day; they don't know counselors personally so even if the counselors are super-friendly, they're often not a student's first choice).

If he's like many/most 15-year-olds, he may respond best to you showing him the respect to get his "permission" to involve a counselor.

Good luck!