STUDENT
MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE Created for Brown School Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff that interact with students regularly are in a unique position to notice signs and symptoms that students may be under significant stress, distress or experiencing an emotional crisis. This document aims to provide some guidelines for recognizing when students are experiencing mental health difficulties, and for assessing the appropriate response and support needed. The students who are experiencing issues may exhibit the following:
Academic and Employment Indicators 6 Repeated absences from class or employment, missed assignments, exams, or appointments, especially without reaching out and notifying instructors 6 Significant deterioration in the quality or quantity of work 6 Extreme disorganization or erratic performance 6 Patterns of extreme perfectionism or anxiety 6 Preoccupation with violence, death, isolation, despair, or depression in their work 6 Continually seeking special provisions 6 Sending frequent, lengthy, “ranting”, or threatening emails
Behavioral Indicators 6 Direct statements indicating distress, despair, family problems or loss
Physical Indicators 6 Deterioration in physical appearance or hygiene
6 Angry or hostile outbursts
6 Excessive fatigue or repeatedly falling asleep in class/work
6 More withdrawn or animated than usual
6 Dramatic change in energy level, in either direction
6 Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness; crying or tearfulness
6 Noticeable changes in weight or visible bingeing and purging
6 Expressions of severe anxiety or irritability 6 Isolating self; unresponsiveness to outreach from faculty or staff 6 Excessively demanding or dependent behavior 6 Shakiness, tremors, fidgeting or pacing
6 Noticeable physical injuries (cuts, bruises, burns, etc.) 6 Disorganized, slurred, or rapid speech; confusion 6 Shakiness, tremors, fidgeting, or pacing 6 Frequent or chronic illness 6 Chronic substance abuse or coming to class bleary-eyed or smelling of alcohol or marijuana
6 Excessive responses to grades or other evaluations
Other Factors You Need to Consider 6 Concern about a student expressed from their peers or another faculty or staff member 6 A hunch or gut-level reaction that something is wrong 6 Any significant change in the student’s baseline personality, mood, academic performance, or relationships
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