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Recognizing Emotionally Troubled Students

It is important to recognize that emotional or social concerns also interfere with success in school. The American College Health Association asks students nationally about what they have experienced as interfering with academic performance. Consistently, seven of the top ten impediments include stress, sleep difficulties, concern for a troubled friend or family member, relationship problems, depression/anxiety, death of a friend or family member and alcohol use. But how do you know when a situation requires extra help, especially when it is so common to at times feel stressed, depressed, or anxious?  It is important to look at the pattern of behaviors. The following are three levels of behaviors indicating extra help would be appropriate. 

Level 1

Although not disruptive to others, these behaviors may indicate that help is needed:

  • Irresolvable conflicts with roommates and friends
  • Excessive absences, especially if the student previously demonstrated consistent class and/or work attendance
  • Unusual or markedly changed pattern of interaction with friends, family, and faculty, such as totally avoiding participation or being unwilling to leave a friend’s room even when requested
  • Serious academic problems or a change from consistently good grades to unaccountably poor performance
  • Other characteristics that may indicate a problem, including 
    • Depressed mood and lethargic behavior
    • Withdrawing from social circles or groups
    • Posts or blogs or away messages that are disturbing because of the emotional tone or disclosure
    • Excessive activity and very rapid speech
    • Swollen, red eyes
    • Marked change in personal dress and hygiene
    • Anxious behavior
    • Sleeplessness

Level 2

These behaviors may indicate significant emotional distress and also a reluctance or inability to acknowledge a need for personal help: 

  • Repeated requests for support that leaves you feeling overwhelmed, especially if the student appears uncomfortable or highly emotional disclosing the circumstances prompting the request
  • Behavior which pushes the limits of decorum and which interferes with  community living, classes or work
  • Significant change in use of alcohol or other drugs, or repeated binge drinking;
  • Significant rapid weight loss  
  • An unusual or exaggerated emotional response that is obviously inappropriate to the situation

Level 3

These behaviors usually indicate students in obvious crisis who need emergency care:

  • Severe and/or sudden disruption in daily activities
  • Highly disruptive behavior (hostility, aggression, violence etc.)
  • Inability to communicate clearly (garbled or slurred speech, unconnected or disjointed thoughts)
  • Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things that aren’t present, beliefs or actions greatly at odds with reality or probability)
  • Overtly suicidal thoughts (referring to suicide as a current option)
  • Homicidal threats
  • Roommates/friends report immediate concerns
  • The student reports a physical or sexual assault
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