Helping Students in Distress

Early Identification of Problems:
Guidance for faculty and Staff in supporting students in need.

Faculty and staff are in good positions to recognize students who are in distress and can support their efforts to cope. It is not uncommon for faculty and staff to identify a student's need and offer valuable assistance even when the student has not initiated the contact. This webpage is designed to assist you in the early identification of students in distress. It contains helpful and practical tips about how to better assist students and make appropriate referrals.

The consequences of distress are often played out in classrooms, offices, residence halls, and in peer relationships. By expressing your concern, you may help students regain the emotional balance needed to cope with stress and get back on track.

Watch for these distress signals

Marked changes in academic performance or behavior

• poor performance and preparation
• excessive absences or tardiness
• repeated requests for special consideration
• unusual or changed pattern of interaction
• domination or withdrawal of participation
• excessive anxiety or fear
• prolonged depression, tearfulness, or lack of energy
• increased agitation and irritability
• disruptive behavior

Unusual behavior or appearance

• depressed or lethargic mood
• mood swings
• hyperactivity or rapid speech
• exaggerated emotional responses, anger, or crying
• change in personal hygiene or dress

Reference to suicide, homicide, or death

• overt references to suicide, wishes to die
• previous suicide attempts
• expressed thoughts of helplessness or hopelessness
• isolation from family or friends
• homicidal threats

Diminished or poor quality social relationships

• lack of friendships
• little or no interaction with others
• lack of family ties and support

Decline in health habits or hurting oneself

• cuts, scarring, or wounds
• unexplained injuries
• misuse of drugs or alcohol
• high risk drinking behaviors

Recent traumatic or stressful events

• death of a loved one
• changes in close relationships (divorce, separation, break-up)
• serious illness

Alcohol and drug use

• hangover or after effects of misuse
• alcohol and/or drug use to avoid or cope with depression|
• high risk drinking behaviors
• mixing alcohol and illegal substances

What you can do

Talk
Be willing to talk with the student. Try to find an appropriate time and place where you can both talk privately and neither feels rushed or preoccupied. Give the student your full attention. It is possible that your willingness to talk will establish an atmosphere to make a referral or work through a problem.

Listen
Be willing to listen to the student's concerns in a sensitive way. If you have initiated the contact, express your concerns in non-judgmental terms.

Maintain and Respect Your Limitations
Be aware of and maintain clear and consistent boundaries and expectations. Maintain a professional relationships with the student and be consistent in academic expectations. Know your limitations. When you feel you have helped as much as you can, seek another option, such as referral.

Give Hope
It is important to help students understand the options before them and that things will not always seem hopeless. Suggest resources such as family, friends, and professionals on campus. Avoid making promises you cannot keep.

Consult
Take all suicidal and homicidal expressions seriously. A student whose behavior has become threatening, violent, or too disruptive may need a different kind of intervention. Please consult with Counseling Center staff or University Police if you have any doubts about the appropriateness of an intervention.

Making Referrals

Counseling Center, LU 320 -- Call 285-1736 or visit the center to discuss the referral you are making. Students may come to the center on their own, or you may accompany the student.        

Dean of Students, AD 238 -- Call 285-1545 or visit AD 238 for assistance with incidents involving students.

Health Center -- Call 285-8431 or visit the Health Center. Students are seen on a first come-first served basis.

Housing and Residence Life staff -- Call 285-8000 or contact individual residence hall directors for guidance and support involving students in residence halls or apartments.

University Police -- Call 911, or from a non-campus telephone call  285-1111, for assistance in seeing that an individual finds necessary medical care and/or counseling.

While faculty and staff may offer emotional support to students, they are encouraged to contact the Counseling Center day or night for professional assistance or referrals. Doing so may relieve the employee of liability and afford the person in need of counseling quicker access to campus resources.

In the event that an individual has threatened harm to self or others, or has become violent or uncontrollable, contact the University Police immediately by calling 911 or 285-1111 from a non-campus telephone. Police officers will determine if the circumstances warrant the immediate or emergency detention of the individual at Ball Memorial Hospital.

For more information, visit the Counseling Center website
www.bsu.edu/students/cpsc