Recognize

Recognize the signs or indications that students may be in distress. Students may present with signs that are not listed.

Academic

Sudden decline in quality of work and grades
Frequently missed classes/assignments or use of office hours for personal support
Conduct that interferes with classroom activities
Multiple requests for extensions
Doesn’t respond to repeated requests for contact or meetings
Academic work is disorganized or dominated by themes of hopelessness, isolation, rage, despair, violence or self-harm

Marked changes in physical appearance such as poor grooming/hygiene or sudden changes in weight
Strange, disoriented, or bizarre behavior indicating loss of contact with reality
Unusual speech, such as rapid, garbled, rambling, tangential, disconnected or slurred speech
Depressed or lethargic mood
Observable signs of injury like facial bruising or cuts
Intoxication, hangover, smelling of alcohol, evidence of drug misuse
Behavior that is out of context or out of character, or manic

Discloses personal distress like family problems, financial difficulties, assault, discrimination or legal difficulties
Excessive tearfulness, panic reactions, irritability or unusual apathy; reactions seem disproportionate to the event
Verbal abuse like taunting, badgering or intimidation
Expression of concern about the student by peers
Feeling hopeless and helpless
Concerning interpersonal communication style (e.g., withdrawn or agitated, mutters under breath, slow response time to questions)
Delusions and paranoia

Verbal, written or implied references to suicide, homicide, self-harm behavior; Implying or direct threat of harm to self or other
Unprovoked anger or hostility
Physical violence like shoving, grabbing, assaulting or use of a weapon
Stalking or harassing
Makes threats or disturbing comments in person, or via email, text or phone
Signs of physical abuse
Signs of self-injury
Interpersonal violence
Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)
Unresponsive or altered level of consciousness