Responding to Students with Emotional Distress

Responding to a Student who is Distressed, Depressed, or Suicidal/Threatening

Distressed

Psychological issues can often go untreated and seriously impact a student’s personal and academic life. Helping a student can be very challenging, and your concerns may be dismissed. Simply expressing encouragement in seeking help can be an incredibly valuable first step towards healing for the student. What is most important is to approach the student in a calm, gentle manner that conveys genuine concern and a sincere desire to understand and assist. Keep in mind that active listening and showing support for the student is most effective in assisting them.

Depressed

Depression is a common mental health problem that varies in severity and duration. As a basic emotion, depression is a temporary reaction to loss, stress, or life challenges. It can be alleviated through the passage of time and/or the natural healing effects of social support, daily routines, and simple coping strategies. Severe or chronic depression usually requires professional help.

Symptoms of depression can look like:

Suicidal/Threatening

Immediate and decisive intervention is needed when student behavior poses a threat to self or others, including:

Some factors associated with suicide risk are:

What you can do:

If you are concerned that a student may be experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please:

If the student is not facing a life-threatening emergency:

• Know your resources prior to going into the conversation
• Follow the SEEN (PDF) strategy
• Document your interactions and attempts to reach out

Responding to a Student with Anxiety

Anxiety can be generalized across a range of situations, or it may be situation-specific (e.g., test-taking, social situations, public speaking).

Symptoms of anxiety may include:

What you can do:

Avoid:

Responding to a Student who is Demanding

Students who are demanding can be intrusive and persistent and may require much time and attention. Demanding traits can be associated with anxiety and/or personality concerns.

Possible signs of a student who is demanding:

What you can do:

Avoid:

Responding to a Student who is Disruptive

There is no one cause of disruptive behaviors, but instead many possible causes such as frustration, boredom, mental health issues, impulsiveness, or reflections of the student’s personal lives. Follow the guidelines of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities provides on how to address disruptive behavior.

Responding to a Student with a Suspected Eating Disorder

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating are among the most common types of eating disorders. Depression, anxiety, and substance abuse may coincide with eating disorders.

Symptoms associated with eating disorders can include:

What you can do:

• Know your resources prior to going into the conversation
• Follow the SEEN (PDF) strategy
• Document your interactions and attempts to reach out

Responding to a Student who is Severely Disoriented or Psychotic

The main feature of psychotic thinking is poor reality testing or “being out of touch with reality.”

Symptoms include:

What you can do:

Avoid:

Responding to a Student who is Aggressive or Potentially Violent

Aggression varies from threats, to verbal abuse, to physical abuse and violence. It is very difficult to predict aggression and violence.

Some indicators of potential violence include:

What you can do:

Avoid: