Recognizing Students in Distress

While at Georgia Southern, students will be faced with a great many personal, academic, and social stressors. Most will successfully navigate these challenges while others may experience them as overwhelming and unmanageable. As a result, students may feel fearful, isolated, helpless, and alone. This distress can negatively impact a student's academic performance, and lead to disruptive behaviors such as acting out, alcohol/drug abuse, and suicide attempts.

Consultation is Available

Signs of Possible Distress

• Uncharacteristic decline in academic performance
• Increased absences or tardiness from class
• Failure to complete assignments
• Written comments in a student's paper that draw concern
• Uncharacteristic change in class participation (e.g., disruptive behavior, withdrawal, dominating discussions, exaggerated responses)
• Significant dependency on faculty or staff (e.g., excessive visitation during office hours)
• Requests for special allowances, particularly if the student is hesitant to discuss the reasons
• Persistent appearance of depression (e.g., sad mood, loss of interest, tearfulness, weight loss, withdrawal)
• Anxiety, nervousness, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, non-stop talking
• Aggressiveness, acting out, emotional outbursts
• Significant change in personal hygiene, dress, appearance
• Bizarre behavior, speech, or mannerisms
• Talk of death or suicide, either directly or indirectly (e.g., "It doesn't matter, I won't be around for the final exam." or "I'm not worried about finding a job, I won't need one.")
• Homicidal threats, either verbal or in written statements

It is important to remember that just because a student appears to be experiencing one of these signs it does not necessarily mean that he or she is in significant distress. Many of the above situations are short lasting. However, if a student's distress appears to be severe, or you notice one or more of these signs over a prolonged period of time, then it may be necessary to intervene. If you have doubts or concerns about the seriousness of your student's problems, please consult with one of the staff members at the Counseling and Career Development Center.