FA Q O n D e a l i n g w i t h S t u d e n t s i n D i s t r e s s
Q. What are some signs
that a student may be in
distress?
A student in distress may not be
disruptive to others, but may exhibit
behaviors which indicate something is
wrong. Behaviors may include:
1.
Significant changes in
academic performance
2.
Excessive absences from
classes/meetings/work
3.
Unusual or changed patterns
of interaction (e.g., sudden
anger or disruptive outbursts,
changes in mood, anxiety,
lethargic and depressed
behavior, isolation from
others)
4.
Other characteristics that
indicate the student is having
trouble managing stress (e.g.,
noticeable changes in
hygiene/appearance, sleeping
during class, hyperactivity
and/or rapid speech,
inappropriate crying, drug and
alcohol abuse, eating disorders)
5.
Unusual requests for academic
accommodations.
Q. How should I respond to
a disruptive student?
1.
Remain calm and ask direct
questions, taking a
matter-of-fact approach.
Most distressed students are
relieved to know that
someone has noticed and is
paying attention. Distressed
students can sometimes be
easily provoked. Avoid
threatening, humiliating, and
intimidating responses.
2.
Do not attempt to be the
counselor but do provide the
necessary contact on their
behalf. Know whom to call for
referral options regarding
available university resources.
3.
Always keep safety in mind as
you interact with a distressed
person. Maintain a safe
distance and a route of escape
should you need.
4.
When a student expresses a
direct threat to themselves or
others, or acts in a bizarre,
highly irrational or disruptive
way, call the University Police
at 941-2400.
Q. How should I respond to
a student that is troubled
or showing signs of
distress?
1.
Try to deal with the
behavior/problem according
to classroom management
guidelines, if possible.
2.
Address the situation privately
with the individual(s) before or
after class.
3.
Consult with a unit head,
Office of Student Affairs,
Personal Counseling Services,
or Disability Services.
4.
Refer the student to an
appropriate University
resource. See referral phone
numbers in this publication
for help.
Q. What types of warning
signs are most serious?
Students in crisis exhibit severe
behaviors that necessitate emergency
care. Examples include:
1.
Highly disruptive behavior
(e.g. hostility, aggression,
violence)
2.
Inability to communicate
clearly (e.g. garbled, slurred
speech; unconnected,
disjointed, or rambling
thoughts)
3.
Loss of sense of reality (e.g.,
seeing or hearing things that
others cannot see or hear;
beliefs or actions greatly at
odds with reality or
probability)
4.
Stalking behaviors
(threatening behavior,
unwanted advances or
communication)
5.
Inappropriate communications
(e.g. including threatening
letters, e-mail messages,
harassment)
6.
Overtly suicidal thoughts
(expression of a specific plan
including referring to suicide
as a current option or in a
written assignment,
statements of hopelessness,
death allusions, thoughts of
burdening others, and/or not
belonging)
7.
Threats to harm self or others.
When a student expresses a direct threat to themselves or others, or acts in a bizarre, highly
irrational or disruptive way, call the University Police Department at 941-2400 or 911.
