Signs of Distress

Be aware of the following indicators of distress.  Look for groupings, frequency, duration, and severity - not just isolated symptoms.

Academic Indicators

• Sudden decline in quality of work and grades
• Repeated absences
• Disorganized performance
• Multiple requests for extensions
• Overly demanding of faculty’s or staff’s time and attention
• Bizarre content in writings or presentations
• You find yourself providing more personal than academic support

Physical Indicators

• Marked changes in physical appearance (e.g., grooming or hygiene deterioration, weight loss/gain)
• Excessive fatigue or sleep disturbance
• Intoxication, hangovers, or smelling of alcohol
• Disoriented or “out of it”
• Garbled, tangential, disconnected, or slurred speech
• Behavior is out of context or bizarre
• Delusions and paranoia

Psychological Indicators

• Self-disclosure of personal distress (e.g., family or financial problems, grief, suicidal thoughts)
• Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events
• Excessive tearfulness or panic reactions
• Irritability or unusual apathy
• Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)
• Concern from peers

Safety Risk Indicators

• Unprovoked anger or hostility
• Physical violence (e.g., shoving, grabbing, assault, use of weapons)
• Implying or making direct threat to harm self or others
• Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, rage, worthlessness, isolation, despair, acting out, suicidal ideations/violent behaviors
• Stalking or harassing
• Communicating threats via email, correspondence, texting, or phone calls

Frequent Examples of Referable Concerning Behaviors

• Unusual or erratic behavior in class, in the residence halls, during advising sessions, etc.
• Extended absence from class or activities by a typically engaged student
• Written work or creative expression with troubling themes or references
• Verbal or written threats made by a student toward other students, faculty, and/or staff
• Written or verbal expressions of suicidal ideation or intent
• Other actions that cause an alarm or call into question the safety of the student or their peers