College can be a stressful time for students. Emotional distress can not only impact a student’s mental and physical well-being, but can also interfere with academic performance.
Here is a list of potential indicators a student may be in distress. A CARE referral can be made for any of the following:
- Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or loss
- Angry or hostile outbursts, yelling, or aggressive comments; Overblown or disproportionate responses
- More withdrawn or more animated than usual
- Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness; crying or tearfulness
- Expressions of sever anxiety or irritability
- Excessively demanding or dependent behavior
- Lack of response to outreach from staff
- Deterioration in physical appearance or personal hygiene
- Excessive fatigue, exhaustion
- Noticeable cuts, bruises, or burns
- Frequent or chronic illness/hospitalization
- Disorganized speech, rapid or slurred speech, confusion
- Unusual inability to make eye contact
- Coming to class bleary-eyed or smelling of alcohol
- Shakiness, tremors, fidgeting, or pacing
- Repeated absences or missed assignments related to personal concerns
- Deterioration in quality or quantity of work
- Essays or papers that focus on death, suicide, and/or despair
- Continual seeking of special provisions
- Concerns about student voiced by his/her peers
- A hunch or gut level feeling that something is wrong
- Self-harm ideation/attempt
- Signs of substance misuse or abuse
- Extreme change in moor or behavior
- Traumatic or distressing life event/ loss of a family member
- Homelessness and/or lack of stable living situation
- Unable to locate or get a hold of student
- Financial crisis