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The Distressed Student

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), "Anxiety is the top presenting concern among college students (41.6 percent), followed by depression (36.4 percent) and relationship problems (35.8 percent)."

Almost half of college students had a psychiatric disorder in the past year

73% of students experience some sort of mental health crisis during college

Almost 1/3 of college students report having felt so depressed that they had trouble functioning

Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and substance use are associated with lower GPA and higher probability of dropping out of college

More than 80% of college students felt overwhelmed by all they had to do in the past year and 45% have felt things were hopeless

"Directors report that 21 percent of counseling center students present with severe mental health concerns, while another 40 percent present with mild mental health concerns."

As a member of the Porterville College community, you are at a great vantage point to notice details and observe students. As you may interact with students daily, you have the ability to see changes in their moods and behavior and can assist them if you believe they are in crisis. Early intervention is key and may help the student adjust to their situation better and may lead to a far better outcome than a crisis.

Certain signals that distressed students give out may go unnoticed for a variety of reasons. And even when we do notice them, it can be very difficult to intervene. We may feel we are “in over our heads,” or we may have competing concerns, such as other students waiting to see us. It is important to know that it is quite likely that the problem will not go away unless there is an intervention. Part of a good intervention requires knowing how to act during these incidents and what resources to call upon.

As a faculty or staff member interacting daily with students, you are in an excellent position to recognize behavior changes that characterize the emotionally troubled student. A student’s behavior, especially if it is inconsistent with your previous observations, could well constitute a “cry for help.”

Urgent concerns that require immediate intervention are:

• Suicide

•Fear of losing control and possibly harming/hurting oneself or someone else

• Sexual assault

• Physical assault

• Abuse

College can be stressful but also a time of great personal growth.

If you're in a situation and feel uncomfortable, alert other staff around you by saying, "PIRATE BLUE".

Credits:

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