Identifying and speaking with the student in distress

Identifying behaviors of students in distress:

Excessive procrastination and poorly prepared work, especially if inconsistent with previous work.
Reduced class attendance with little or no work completed.
Dependency (e.g., the student who hangs around or makes excessive appointments during office hours).
Listlessness, lack of energy, or frequently falling asleep in class.
Marked changes in personal hygiene.
Impaired speech and disjointed thoughts.
Repeated requests for special consideration such as deadline extensions.
Threats to others.
Expressing suicidal thoughts or referring to suicide as a current option.
Excessive weight gain or loss.
Repeated interference with effective class management.
Frequent or high levels of irritable, unruly, abrasive, or aggressive behavior.
Unable to make decisions despite your repeated efforts to clarify or encourage.
Bizarre behavior that is obviously inappropriate for the situation (e.g., talking to something/someone that is not present).
Appearing overly nervous, tense or tearful.

Talk to the student in private.
Express concern. Be as specific as possible in stating your observations and reasons for concern.
Listen carefully to everything the student says.
Repeat the essence of what the student has told you so your attempts to understand are communicated.
Avoid criticizing or sounding judgmental.
Consider Student Mental Health Services as a resource and discuss a referral with the student.

For additional support, please contact the CARE Team.