Faculty Guide: Identifying students in distress

How do I know if a student is in distress?

Academic Indicators:

• Drop in grades
• Missed assignments
• Repeated requests for accommodations (i.e. extensions)
• Content of work indicates distress (i.e. hopelessness, rage)

Physical Indicators:

• Deterioration in appearance (dirty clothing)
• Lack of hygiene
• Drastic changes in weight (gain or loss)
• Excessive fatigue (yawning, sleeping in class, blank look)

Interpersonal/Affective Indicators:

• Tearfulness; unusual behaviour (running out of class)
• Direct statements of distress (from student or his/her peers)
• Excessive dependence/uncertainty
• A hunch (gut feeling) that something is wrong

Safety/Risk Indicators:

• A direct note or verbal statement about suicide or finality
• Self-injurious or self-destructive behaviour
• Any behaviours that possess risk of harm to self or others