Distressed Students
All members of the Lewis University community have the potential to interact with distressed students. In fact, faculty, staff and fellow students are often the first to notice a student in distress. Therefore, as a member of the university community, it would be helpful to know the signs of a distressed student as well as how to get help for that student.
Distressed Student Warning signs:
- Drop in class attendance or quality of work
- Consistently has difficulty paying attention or keeping focus
- Decline in personal hygiene and dress
- Consistent depressed mood
- Socially withdrawing behavior
- Crying without apparent reason
- Easily frustrated or irritated- quick to anger
- Appears to be “on edge” all of the time- often anxious
- Identifiable signs of intoxication during class or interactions
- Bizarre behavior such as talking to self or repetitive actions/rituals
- Use of suicidal language such as (“I’d be better off dead” or “I’m worthless”)
- Suicidal gestures such as giving away valued items
- Preoccupation with death or dying as apparent in writings or drawings
- Lack of insight into consequences or precursors to behavior
- Use of threatening and/or intimidating language when communicating
- Exhibits behaviors or emotions that are inappropriate to the situation
- Displays extreme suspiciousness or irrational fears of persecution
- A gut feeling that something is just not right with the person
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
If a student expresses a direct threat to themselves or others, or acts in a bizarre, highly
irrational or disruptive way, it is important to call the Campus Security at (815)836-5911
immediately!!!
