Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

What is the first step a social worker should take with a college student experiencing severe anxiety and low grades?

1. Refer him to academic counseling

2. Assess for the risk of suicide

3. Encourage him to socialize more

4. Connect him with a mentoring program

The correct answer is: Assess for the risk of suicide

The first step a social worker should take with a college student experiencing severe anxiety and low grades is to assess for the risk of suicide. This priority comes from the understanding that severe anxiety, particularly when coupled with academic difficulties, can significantly affect a student's mental health and wellbeing. Conducting a suicide risk assessment is a critical action to ensure the safety of the student. Many individuals experiencing severe anxiety may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, particularly if they feel overwhelmed or hopeless about their academic performance and personal situation. Identifying any suicidal ideation or intent allows the social worker to take the immediately necessary steps to provide support, which may include safety planning, emergency interventions, or referral to mental health services. Given the urgency of safeguarding the student’s mental health, this step must be taken prior to other interventions that focus on academic performance or social involvement. While referring to academic counseling, encouraging socialization, or connecting with a mentoring program can be beneficial, these actions are secondary to ensuring the student’s immediate safety and addressing any potential risks of self-harm. Thus, the focus on assessing for suicidal risk appropriately prioritizes the student's immediate mental health needs.