Observe: How to Observe and Recognize that a Student is in Distress
Changes in mental well-being may be reflected in the way a student thinks, feels and acts. A student’s academic performance may also be affected. The following are some changes you might notice. You may notice one or several indicators that could suggest that a student is experiencing difficulty. Or you may have a gut-level feeling that something is amiss.
Thoughts
- Fearful, not understanding what they’re experiencing, worried that others will notice something is wrong, worried about what others will think
- Obvious confusion
- Statements of hopelessness or helplessness
- Overt references to suicide or threats of harm to others
- Extreme and repeated suspiciousness, paranoia
Feelings
- High levels of nervousness and worry
- Decreased motivation, lethargic
- Lonely, alone or isolated, misunderstood, worthlessness
- Extreme mood swings or persistent low mood
- Agitation, restlessness or hyperactivity
- Unusual emotional reactions (i.e., inappropriate anger, crying, giggling) or inexpressive, devoid of emotion
Actions
- Behaviour that is a significant and persistent change from usual behaviour
- Isolating self from others. little or no participation in activities they once enjoyed
- Significant problems with roommates, friends or family
- Deterioration in personal hygiene, sudden, unexplained weight gain or loss
- Frequent requests to talk/meet with you or other support persons in private
- Repeated hostile, sarcastic or inappropriate remarks
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there
Academics
- Frequent missed classes, not handing in academic work
- Increased difficulty or inability to concentrate
- Written work that includes emotional outbursts, self-‐loathing, hopelessness, disorganized thinking
- Avoiding classes when presentations or participation is expected
- Aggressive or disruptive behaviour in class
It is possible that a student exhibiting just one of the signs of distress is only having an off day. However, any single safety risk indicator (e.g., a student writes a paper expressing hopelessness and thoughts of suicide) or a cluster of lesser signs (e.g., emotional outbursts, repeated absences, and noticeable cuts on the arm) indicates a need to take action to support the student. Rather than noticing certain indicators, you may have a hunch or gut-level reaction that something is wrong.
Emergency Indicators
Students who are verbally aggressive and potentially violent
What you can do in an escalating situation