Noticing Signs of Distress

The following can all be important signs of distress. You may notice a student exhibiting one or more of them and decide that something is clearly wrong. Or you may have a "gut-level feeling" that something is amiss. If the latter is the case, don't dismiss your feelings or feel that you need to wait for tangible "proof" that a problem exists. A simple check-in with the student may help you get a better sense of his/her situation.

Academic Indicators

• Deterioration in quality/quantity of work
• A negative change in classroom or research performance (e.g., drop in grades)
• Missed assignments or exams
• Repeated absences from class or from research lab
• Disorganized or erratic performance
• Decline in enthusiasm in class (e.g., no longer choosing a seat in the front of the room)
• Student sends frequent, lengthy, “ranting” or threatening types of emails to professor/TA
• Continual seeking of special provisions (e.g., late papers, extensions, postponed exams, and projects)

Academic Integrity Violation

• While a student's distress or mental anguish should not serve as an excuse for an academic integrity violation, the existence of an academic integrity violation may certainly signal a high level of personal distress.

Physical Signs

• Falling asleep in class or other inopportune times
• A dramatic change in energy level (either direction)
• Worrisome changes in hygiene or personal appearance
• Significant changes in weight
• Frequent state of alcohol intoxication (i.e., bleary-eyed, hung-over, smelling of alcohol)
• Noticeable cuts, bruises or burns on student

Emotional

• Inappropriate emotional outbursts (unprovoked anger or hostility, sobbing)
• Exaggerated personality traits; more withdrawn or more animated than usual
• Expressions of hopelessness, fear or worthlessness; themes of suicide, death and dying in papers/projects
• Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or other difficulties
• Peer concern about a fellow student (in class, lab, residence hall, club)

It's possible that any one of these signs, in and of itself, may simply mean that a student is having an “off” day. Consider consulting with a colleague, supervisor, associate dean, or other trusted member of the Cornell community to share your observations, and discuss options for response. Please note, any one serious sign (e.g., a student writes a paper expressing hopelessness and/or thoughts of suicide) or a cluster of smaller signs (e.g., emotional outburts, repeated absence, a noticeable cut on the arm) necessitates an intervention.