Indicators of Student Distress

Student’s Background
• Previous emotional disturbance requiring therapy/counseling, or many scattered counseling visits.
• Traumatic family event(s), such as parents’ separation or divorce, serious illness or death of family members, etc.
• Recent loss of an important person (by death or otherwise) or relationship (friendship, romance, etc.) or of self-esteem.
• Previous period of poor functioning, alcohol/drug abuse, or aggressive /boisterous behavioral pattern.
• Long-standing or recurring problem/symptom/concern, such as disturbing episodes of anxiety, depression, binge eating, etc.
• Pattern of extreme mood swings, especially without apparent reason.

Academic Indicators
• Deterioration in quality of work
• Missed assignments or appointments
• Repeated absences from class or not participating in the study or social groups
• The student continually seeks special accommodations (e.g., late papers, extensions on projects, postpones exams, etc.)
• Essays or projects have themes of hopelessness, social isolation, rage, or despair
• Inappropriate disruption or monopolization of classroom time

Physiological Indicators
• Deterioration in physical presence or hygiene
• Visible increase or decrease in weight
• Visibly and chronically tired or having sleep difficulties (problems falling asleep or getting up from bed)
• Complaining about stomach pains, feeling nauseous, or having headaches
• Shaking or tremors
• Restlessness

Psychological Indicators
• Marked changes in concentration and motivation
• Feelings of intense sadness
• Lack of interest and social isolation
• Crying spells
• Hopelessness
• Suicidal thoughts or statements of intention
• Exaggerated personality traits or behaviors (e.g., agitation, withdrawal, lack of apparent emotions)
• Unprovoked anger or hostility
• Irritability

Other Indicators
• Direct statements indicating family problems, including personal losses such as death of a family member or the break-up of a relationship
• Expressions of concern about a student by peers
• Written note or verbal statement which has a sense of hopelessness or finality
• Marked changes in grades
• Your sense, however vague, that something is seriously amiss.