Signs of Distress

Recognizing need for support

Parents, friends, faculty and staff are often the first individuals to notice signs of distress in students. The following may indicate that a student is in distress and in need of help:

• Significant change in appearance (including hygiene, weight gain/loss), personality, attitude, mood, or behavior
• Impairment in academic, social, &/or job performance & functioning
• Change in sleep (oversleeping or insomnia)
• Change in appetite (eating too much or very little)
• Social withdrawal/isolation
• Irritability
• Increase in or frequent use of substances (alcohol and/or other drugs)
• Problems with concentration, energy and/or motivation
• Odd/bizarre speech or reasoning
• Aggressive, violent behavior or threats
• Attention-getting behavior
• Talk of/fascination with death or dying
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, purposelessness
• Direct/indirect threats of harm to self