The college years can be times of discovery and excitement, and those of us who work with students strive to incorporate these elements in our teaching. At the same time, the personal and intellectual development that students experience in their college years can be stressful. They leave the security of home, may experience loves and losses, or suffer from alcohol abuse, sexual assault, family problems, and deaths of loved ones.
Students - or anyone for that matter - can experience a crisis if stress exceeds their coping resources. Most crises can be resolved successfully within a few weeks, but some cannot. Although some crises may escalate and place affected individuals in precarious, even dangerous situations other crises can present students with opportunities for significant personal growth, especially when help is provided.
As a faculty or staff member, you can assist students in avoiding dangerous situations and refer them to appropriate sources of help. The information on these pages may provide you with some guidance in this process.
Academic Indicators
Deterioration in quality of work
A drop in grades
A negative change in classroom performance
Continual seeking of special accommodations (late papers, extensions, postponed examinations, and the like)
Missed assignments
Repeated absences from class
Disorganized or erratic performance
Essays or creative work that indicate extremes of hopelessness, social isolation, rage, or despair
Personal/Interpersonal Indicators
Tearfulness
Excessive dependency
Expressions of concern about a student in the class by his/her peers
Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or other difficulties
Unprovoked anger or hostility
Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness
A hunch or gut-level reaction that something is wrong
Exaggerated personality traits (e.g., more withdrawn or more animated than usual)
Physical Indicators
Deterioration in physical appearance
Lack of personal hygiene
Coming to class bleary-eyed, hung over, or smelling of alcohol
Visible changes in weight
Excessive fatigue
Appearing sick or ill
Safety/Risk Indicators
Deterioration in physical appearance
Any written note or verbal statement that has a sense of finality or a suicidal flavor to it
Severe depression
Giving away of prized possessions
Any other behavior that seems out of control
Statements to the effect that the student is "going away for a long time”
Any history of suicidal thoughts or attempts
Self-injurious or self-destructive behaviors
Essays or papers that focus on despair, suicide, or death
Avoid making sweeping promises of confidentiality, particularly if a student represents a safety risk to him- or herself or others. Students who may be a danger to themselves or others need swift professional intervention, and assurances of absolute confidentiality may get in the way. It is acceptable to stay "in role" as a faculty member. You do not have to take on the role of counselor.
In challenging situations, always consult. Consultation may start within your department, as well as involving one of the various University resources found in the site. If you are unsure of whether a student's behavior rises to the level of concern, you can contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 503.725.4422 or read more information about the Students of Concern Committee at www.pdx.edu/dos/students-concern.
