ASSISTING STUDENTS IN DISTRESS
SEE SOMETHING.
CSU faculty and staff are in a unique
position to demonstrate compassion for
CSU students in distress.
Both undergraduate and graduate
students may feel alone, isolated,
and even hopeless when faced with
academic and life challenges. These
feelings can easily disrupt academic
performance and may lead to difficulties
coping and other serious consequences.
You may be the first person to
SEE SOMETHING distressing in
your students since you have frequent
and prolonged contact with them.
The California State University, in
collaboration with the California
Mental Health Services Authority
(CalMHSA), requests that you act with
compassion when assisting students.
S AY SOMETHING.
Students exhibiting troubling behaviors
in your presence are likely having
difficulties in various settings including
the classroom, with roommates, with
family, and even in social settings.
Trust your instincts and SAY
SOMETHING if a student leaves you
feeling worried, alarmed, or threatened!
DO SOMETHING.
Sometimes students cannot or
will not turn to family or friends.
DO SOMETHING! Your expression
of concern may be a critical factor in
saving a student’s academic career or
even their life.
The purpose of this folder is to help
you recognize symptoms of student
distress and identify appropriate referrals
to campus resources.
ACADEMIC
INDICATORS
•
Sudden decline in quality of
work and grades
•
Repeated absences
•
Disturbing content in writing or
presentations (e.g., violence,
death)
•
You find yourself doing more
personal rather than academic
counseling during office hours
•
Continuous classroom
disruptions
SAFETY RISK
INDICATORS
•
Unprovoked anger or hostility
•
Making implied or direct
threats to harm self or others
•
Academic assignments
dominated by themes of
extreme hopelessness, rage,
worthlessness, isolation, despair,
acting out, suicidal ideations/
violent behaviors
PSYCHOLOGICAL
INDICATORS
•
Self-disclosure of personal
distress that could include family
problems, financial difficulties,
depression, grief, or thoughts of suicide
•
Excessive tearfulness, panic reactions,
irritability or unusual apathy
•
Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering,
intimidation)
•
Expressions of concern about
the student by his/her peers
PHYSICAL
INDICATORS
•
Marked changes in physical
appearance including deterioration in
grooming, hygiene, or weight loss/
gain
•
Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbance
•
Intoxication, hangovers, or smelling
of alcohol
•
Disoriented or “out of it”
The Family Rights and Privacy Act Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits communication about a
student of concern in connection with a health and safety emergency. Observations of
a student's conduct or statements made by a student are not FERPA protected. Such
information should be shared with appropriate consideration for student privacy.
SEE SOMETHING. SAY SOMETHING. DO SOMETHING.
