Students in Distress

Students in Distress

Recognizing Students in Distress

Signs and behaviors listed under the following categories are often indicative of psychological distress.

Expressions of concern about a student by other students

Marked Changes in Academic Performance

  • Excessive class absences or tardiness
  • Avoidance of classroom participation
  • Inappropriate disruption or monopolization of class time
  • Significant deterioration in quality of work
  • Frequent requests for special considerations, especially when this represents a change from previous functioning
  • Consistently missed appointments and assignments

Unusual Behavior, Attitudes, or Appearance

  • Depressed mood, lethargy, excessive fatigue
  • Hyperactivity, very rapid speech, grandiosity
  • Unprovoked irritability, angry outbursts, any form of physical aggression or violence
  • Unexplained crying
  • Visible anxiety, marked negativity, or obsessive thoughts
  • Marked change in personal hygiene or dress
  • Noticeable weight loss or gain
  • Strange or bizarre behavior possibly indicating loss of contact with reality. (Rambling thoughts, laughing to self, disorganized thinking, suspiciousness, or prolonged vacant staring.)

Direct or Indirect References to Significant Distress, Suicide, or Homicide

  • Expressed thoughts of helplessness or hopelessness
  • Comments suggesting family problems or marked isolation from family or friends
  • Reference to "voices" telling the student what to do
  • Overt or indirect references to suicide (may appear in written assignments)
  • Sharing of homicidal threats