Counseling & Career Development Center

For Parents of Georgia Southern Students : Is Your Student in Distress?

Is Your Student 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.

As a parent or caregiver, you are in a unique position. You may be one of the first to recognize when your student is in distress or crisis. Expressing your interest or concern in your student's well being can be critical towards helping him or her get the assistance that is needed. This could save a student's academic career, not mention his or her life.

Consultation is Available

While this web page is designed to help you with assisting a distressed student, please remember that the staff at the Counseling and Career Development Center is available to consult with you about whether and how to intervene with your student. We can help you assess the seriousness of the situation, discuss possible resources on and off campus, learn how to make a referral, and plan for follow-up. Please feel free to call us at 912-478-5541 to consult with one of our psychologists.

Signs of Possible Distress

At one time or another, we all experience some degree of distress. However, when some of the following are present, your student may be experiencing significant distress that could interfere with his or her personal and academic functioning:

Uncharacteristic decline in academic performance
Increased absences or tardiness from class
Failure to complete assignments
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.

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Counseling and Career Development Center Forest Drive Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA 30460-8011 Phone: 912-478-5541 Fax: 912-478-0834		This site was last updated on 12/28/07. Please contact us with questions or comments.