Faculty & Staff: How to Help

Recognizing a Student in Distress

Students can experience a crisis if stress exceeds their coping resources. Most crises can be resolved successfully within a few weeks. However, for trauma such as sexual assault the recovery process may be longer and more involved. Some crises escalate and may place affected individuals in precarious, even dangerous situations. Developing strong support networks is an essential step for a student who may be in crisis. Faculty and staff can assist students by providing referrals and support while they recover from a trauma. The following information may provide you with guidance in recognizing and helping a student in distress.

These are general indicators that a student may be having difficulty coping with trauma such as sexual assault.

Academic Indicators

• Deterioration in quality of work
• A drop in grades
• A negative change in classroom performance
• Missed assignments
• Repeated absences from class
• Disorganized or erratic performance
• Continual seeking of special accommodations (late papers, extensions, postponed examination)
• Essays or creative work portraying extremes of hopelessness, social isolation, rage, or despair.

Faculty/Staff-Student Relationship Indicators

• Direct statements indicating distress or other difficulties
• Unprovoked anger or hostility
• Exaggerated personality traits (more withdrawn or more animated than usual)
• Excessive dependency
• Expression of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Expression of concern about a student by his/her peers
• A hunch or gut-level reaction that something is wrong

Physical Indicators

• Deterioration or lack of care in physical appearance
• Excessive fatigue
• Visible changes in weight
• Indications of substance abuse or chemical dependency

Safety Risk Indicators

• Any written note or verbal statement which has a sense of finality or suicidal ideations
• Essays or papers which focus on hopelessness, helplessness, despair, suicide, or death
• Severe depression
• Self-destructive or self-injurious behaviors
• Any other behavior which seems out of control or extreme

What You Can Do

• You may call the Counseling Center for a consultation about the student. The staff will be glad to talk with you about any worries or concerns you may have.
• You can discuss your concerns with the students and listen for the response. Talking about a problem or labeling a crisis does not make it worse. It is the first step toward resolving it.
• You may also call the Office of the Dean of Students to make them aware of your concern. The Dean of Students can initiate a psychological evaluation if there is sufficient concern.

Issues to Consider

• It is acceptable to stay "in role" as a faculty/staff member. Refer the students to the resources that are in place to help.
• Remember, if you encounter a student who has been sexually assaulted, it is ultimately up to him/her to decide how to heal. Being supportive and suggesting options will empower the student by allowing them to regain control over their life.
• If you are in doubt or have questions, please contact the Director of Sexual Assault Services or the Sexual Assault Educator for further information.
• The Sexual Assault Educator can also provide consultations, technical training, curriculum ideas, and special presentations on sexual assault and related issues.
  
  

• Information taken from The College of William and Mary Counseling Center, "Recognizing a Student in Distress" brochure