Distressed Students
Definition: Behaviors that threaten to harm self or others, psychosis, or becoming extremely withdrawn or depressed. These are severe mental health issues that often constitute urgent or emergent situations.
Examples:
- Suicidal or homicidal statements (particularly those that indicate a specific plan and/or access to means)
- Making threats of physical violence
- Delusional thinking – paranoia, unjustified belief that others are watching them or persecuting them
- Experiencing hallucinations, disorientation – hearing voices, unable to tell what is real
- Indications of a drug overdose
- Cutting or other self-injurious behavior
- Stalking
- Reports of sexual assault
- Carrying a firearm or other weapon to class
Strategies:
- Talk to the student
- Acknowledge how they are feeling
- Listen
- Offer sympathy/empathy/support
- If you are unsure how serious the situation is – ask, including suicidal thoughts
- Encourage help-seeking
- Normalize and contextualize the experience
- Consult with MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), call (517) 355-8270.
Resources: