Department of Dance
APPENDIX 5: Recognizing and Assisting Students In Distress:
A UNCG Guide for Faculty and Staff
Be alert to signs of difficulty
Academic Indicators
Deterioration in quality of work
A drop in grades
A drop in classroom performance
Missed assignments
Repeated absences from class or work
Disorganized or erratic performance
Continual seeking of special provisions (late papers, extensions, postponed
examinations)
Essays or creative work that indicates extremes of hopelessness, social
isolation, rage, fear, or despair.
Emotional Indicators
Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or other difficulties
Unprovoked anger or hostility
Sudden change in personality traits (more withdrawn or more animated than
usual)
Excessive dependency
Tearfulness
Expressions of hopelessness, fear, or worthlessness
Expressions of concern about a student by his or her peer
Your hunch that something is wrong
Physical Indicators
Deterioration in physical appearance
Lack of personal hygiene
Excessive fatigue
Visible changes in weight
Coming to class or work bleary-eyed, hung over, or smelling of alcohol
Safety Risk Indicators
Any written note or verbal statement
Essays or papers which focus on despair, suicide, or death
Statements to the effect that he/she is "going away for a long time"
Giving away prized possessions
Self-injurious or self-destructive behaviors
Take these signs seriously. Don't disregard what you've observed. If you
are unsure, consult with the Student Affairs Office.
Meet privately with the student. Allow sufficient time for the meeting
and remember that talking about a problem or crisis does not make it worse.
This is the first step toward resolving any difficulty.
Point out specifically the signs you've observed. Say you're concerned,
and ask whatís wrong. Example: "I want to talk with you because
I'm concerned about you. I've noticed that you no longer participate in
class, and you seem troubled. Would you like to talk about it?"
Listen to the student's response. Be open-minded about what you hear.
Refer. Talk with the student about seeing an appropriate professional
on campus.
Follow UNCG procedures. Especially in the case of disruptive students,
keep notes and records of actions. Record only what you are willing to
have a third party review. If you are unsure of procedure, see the below
references or contact the Student Affairs Office.
Recognize an urgent situation. An "urgent" situation is one
in which the student's basic safety or that of others is jeopardized.
Examples are suicidal intentions, eating disorders, chemical addiction,
or a serious threat from another person (including a dating partner).
If you have concerns about a student's immediate safety, stay with the
student and call the Counseling and Testing Center or Campus Police immediately.
Suicidal intent means a student has stated an intention to die or cause
harm to him/herself, has reported that he/she made a suicide attempt or
self-inflicted injury in the recent past, or has left you with an uneasy
feeling with respect to his or her safety or that of the community.
Resources at UNCG
Counseling and Testing Center, Gove Health Center, 334-5874
If urgent, you may walk student into Center or call and advise them of
student's situation
If urgent, do not leave student alone
If after hours, you may call the Counseling and Testing Center and follow
their telephone message instructions
After hours or in the case of imminent harm, contact University Police,
24 hours a day at 334-4444