Helping Distressed Students
Michael B. Brown, Associate Dean
Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Travis Lewis, Director of Student Safety &
Services
Dean of Students Office
Students in Distress
• Students face increasing stressors during
college.
• Faculty & staff are in a good position to
identify students who have problems.
• There are resources available once you
identify a student in need.
Distressed Behavior
Behavior resulting from psychological
problems, stress, or crises that interfere with
their ability to learn.
Distressed Behavior
• Repeated requests for special
consideration, extensions, etc.
• Unusual or exaggerated emotional
responses
• Withdrawal from activities or friends
Distressed Behavior
• Significant change in sleep or eating patterns
• Declining academic performance
• Excessive absences, especially if attendance
was previously consistent
• Perfectionism, procrastination, or excessive
worrying
Distressed Behaviors
• Markedly changed patterns of interaction
(avoiding participation or dominating discussion)
• Erratic behavior
• Indications of alcohol or drug use interfering
with academic or social performance
• Sleeping in class
Serious Distressed Behaviors
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Depressed mood
Marked changes in personal hygiene
Falling asleep in class
Excessively active and talkative
Difficulty communicating
Slurred, disjointed, or incoherent speech
Loss of contact with reality
Serious Distressed Behaviors
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Seeing/hearing things that do not exist
Persistent peculiar thoughts
Suicidal thoughts, jokes or intentions
Indirect threats to self or others
Expressing hopelessness or helplessness
Helping Distressed Students
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Listen
Give basic advice
Make referrals to campus resources
Contact the Dean of Students Office via
ECU Cares 737-5555
Helping Distressed Students
• Most distressed students welcome help
• Talk to the student in private
• Express your concern in nonjudgmental
terms
“I've noticed you’ve been absent from class
lately and I’m concerned”
Helping Distressed Students
• Listen in a sensitive, non-threatening way
• Avoid early reassurance or attempt to
provide a solution
• Communicate understanding to student by
repeating back the gist of what the student
has said.
Helping Distressed Students
• Avoid judging, evaluating, or criticizing.
Respect the student’s value system, even if you
disagree with it.
• Provide information about resources
• Ask for some agreement to refer to another
campus resource
When to Make a Referral
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The student is in crisis
The behavior is beyond your skill level
The behavior persists
The behavior is getting worse
You are unsure of how to proceed
You want to talk with someone about your
observations or concerns
How to Make a Referral
• Summarize your observations about the
student’s behavior
• Express your concern about student’s distress
• Assure the student that seeking help does not
mean they are “crazy”
• Make phone call from your office to help
student make an appointment with resource
ECU Cares
• Reporting system to get assistance for persons
with behaviors of concern
• Not a replacement for emergency responders!!
• Operated by Dean of Students Office
• Reports can be anonymous
• ECU Cares phone line: 737-5555
• Online reporting form: www.ecu.edu/ecucares
Resources for Assistance
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Counseling & Student Development 328-6661
Student Health Services 328-6841
Student Rights & Responsibilities 328-6824
Dean of Students Office 329-9297
ECU Cares 737-5555
ECU Police 9-1-1 or 328-6787 (non-emergency)
Academic resources (Pirate Tutoring, advisors,
department chairs and associate deans)
University Behavioral Concerns Team
• ECU’s Threat Assessment Team
• Meets weekly throughout the year
• Composed of student affairs professionals,
faculty, university administrators
• Receives reports of concerning behavior through:
– team members directly;
– Referrals from faculty/staff/students
– the ECU Cares phone line (#737-5555) and
webpage (www.ecu.edu/ecucares).
UBCT Process
• The UBCT is convened to conducts an assessment of the
student and his/her situation
• After the assessment the UBCT plans and coordinates
interventions to ensure that students:
– receive any necessary support services
– help protect the campus community from the potential for
targeted violence
• After the assessment and interventions, continued case
management to monitor progress
CARE Team
• A subgroup of the UBCT
• Coordinates interventions for distressed students
with complex problems who do not present a threat
to the campus community
• Brings together multiple resources and case
management coordination
Questions?
Dr. Travis Lewis, Director for Student Safety & Services
(252) 328-9297
lewistr@ecu.edu
Dr. Michael B. Brown, Associate Dean
Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
(252) 328-4170
brownmi@ecu.edu