Recognizing signs of distress
These are some of the most common signs of distress. Students may also present with signs that are not listed.
Academic
- Sudden decline in quality of work and grades
Ìý - Frequently missed classes and assignments
Ìý - Disturbing content in projects, assignments or written communication (e.g., emails)
Ìý - Disruptive behavior in class or other settings
Ìý - Consistently seeking personal rather than professional advice from faculty or staff
Ìý - Sudden requests for extensions on projects or assignments
Ìý - Doesn't respond to repeated requests for meetings, follow-up or other forms of contactÌý
Ìý - Assignments are focused around themes of extreme hopelessness, helplessness, isolation, rage, despair, fear, violence, or self-harm
Physical
- Sudden changes in physical appearance like hygiene or noticeable changes to weight
Ìý - Strange or bizarre behavior; losing touch with reality
Ìý - Visibly intoxicated or smelling of alcohol or marijuana; increased substance use/abuse
Ìý - Rapid speech, manic behavior or extreme mood swings
Ìý - Appears to be depressed or lethargic
Ìý - Signs of injury like facial bruising or cuts
Psychological
- Disclosing personal distress like family problems, financial difficulties, assault, discrimination or legal difficulties to staff or faculty
Ìý - Unusual or disproportionate emotional response to events
Ìý - Excessive tearfulness, panic attacks
Ìý - Verbal abuse like taunting, badgering or intimidation toward staff, faculty, friends or family members
Safety risk
- Verbal, written or implied references to suicide, homicide, assault or self-harm
Ìý - Unprovoked anger or hostility
Ìý - Physical violence like shoving, grabbing, assaulting or use of a weapon
Ìý - Engaging in stalking or harassing behaviors
Ìý - Communicating threats or disturbing comments in person or via email, text or phone call
Additional signs
- Decline in performance, poor grades
Ìý - Increase in spending, excessive spending
Ìý - Other students or friends are expressing concerns
Ìý - Bizarre or out of control behavior
Ìý - Increase in partying, drinking or substance use; substance abuse
Ìý - Difficulty bouncing back from challenges
Ìý - Unusual difficulty readjusting to home life during breaks or summer