Tips for Helping Distressed Students

• Arrange to talk in private
• Help student identify specific concerns/sources of stress
• Ask about both thoughts and feelings
• Reflect student’s concerns
• Explore possible alternative solutions to the problem
• Remain objective – avoid judging or evaluating the student’s circumstances or situation
• Follow up with student
• Refer to Counseling Services

Circumstances that may necessitate a referral to CAPS

• Personal feeling of discomfort/unease dealing with student or topic
• High level of stress in own life
• Lack of time
• Personal feelings that may interfere with objectivity
• Student’s stated desire for professional assistance
• Potential conflict of interest
• Student’s desired assistance is beyond faculty or staff’s professional expertise

Recognizing Distressed Student

Characteristics of Distressed Students

• Declining academic performance
• Excessive absences
• Inability to concentrate during lecture or while completing assignments
• Unusual or noticeably changed interaction patterns in classroom
• Depressed, crying, or apathetic mood, excessive activity or talkativeness
• Change in appearance or hygiene, missed tests, or inability to remain awake during class
• Repeated attempts to obtain deadline extensions or postpone tests
• New or continuous disruptive behavior
• Inappropriate, exaggerated emotional reactions to situations, or lack of emotional response to stressful events
• Violent or other extremely disruptive behaviors: hostile, threats, assault
• Obvious loss of contact with reality: seeing, hearing, feeling things not apparent to others, thoughts or behaviors inconsistent with reality
• Disturbed speech or communication content: incoherent, grandiose, disorganized rambling
• Suicidal or other self-destructive thoughts or actions
• Homicidal threats

To refer to BIT/CARE please click here.