Taking Action: How to Assist
Students in Distress
Megan Metzcus, MA, LPC-I, NCC
2016 New Directions in Student Development
Conference
Learning Objectives
Define stress and the difference between
“eustress” and “distress”
Signs and symptoms of distressed students
Effective ways to assist students using
collaboration, communication techniques, and
resources
What is STRESS?
Our body’s reaction to changes in life
Stress can be positive or negative
Examples of positive stress? Negative?
 Stressors affect us differently
Internal and External Stressors
Internal: Personal thoughts and beliefs
Placing high expectations on ourselves,
negative self-talk
External: Outside events or circumstances
Failing a test, loss of relationships,
accidents
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as
“good stress”
Eustress-think “euphoria”
Motivates, energizes, keeps us “on track”
“Good stress”
Distress-suffering that affects the mind/body
Not functioning to the best of our ability, high anxiety
“Bad stress”
No Stress<Eustress>Distress
https://www.brocku.ca/health-services/healtheducation/stress/eustress-distress
Stressors Students May Encounter
 Students have multiple roles (parent, employee, caregiver, student,
etc.)
 Time management
 Adjustment to school environment
 Test Anxiety
 Finances
 Relationships
Distressed Students
Stress becomes too much, heightened anxiety
“No end in sight”
Academics, relationships, behavior, personality is affected
May not know how to cope with certain stressors
Leads to poor decision making and negative coping
strategies
Signs of a Distressed Student
 Change of behavior over time (physical, emotional)
 Tardiness/Missing class and assignments
 Repeated requests for accommodations (extensions, grade
adjustments, etc.)
 Withdrawal from social activities in class
 Increased anxiety around exams/deadlines (more than usual)
 Disruptive behavior
 Suspected intoxication in class
 Suicidal/homicidal statements or writings
Now that I know what to look
for, where do I go from here?
I refer the student to someone who can
help…right?
Don’t immediately refer student to someone
else until you’ve talked to the student
If they confide in you then they trust you
enough to discuss what is going on
If you refer immediately, this could impact
your relationship
When to Refer
 When a student presents a problem or a request for information which is beyond
your level of competency
 When you feel that personality differences (which cannot be resolved) between
you and the student will interfere with his or her effective progress
 If the problem is personal and you are uncomfortable discussing it because you
know the student too well on another basis (friend, neighbor, work-study, etc.)
 If the student is reluctant to discuss his or her problem with you for some reason
 If, after a period of time, you do not believe your work and communication with
a student has been effective
https://scs.tamu.edu/?q=node/97
Follow Your Instincts
Trust your gut. If you suspect a student is
distressed, communicate your concern to
him/her.
Communicating with a
Distressed Student
Talk in Private
Only talk in private if you feel safe and
comfortable.
Provides a safe opportunity for you and the
student to discuss your concerns.
Don’t make a scene if at all possible-could
embarrass or anger the student.
Express Concern
Explain in detail what you have noticed
about student-helps for clarification.
 Do not swear secrecy or confidentiality.
If you are mandated to report…
You must report if a student discloses certain
information. (Title IX)
Mental health providers and clergy are bound by
confidentiality.
May interrupt student to inform of your job.
Go into Listening Mode
Be open to listening to the student
Listen to the student’s response without
judgment
Repeat to the student what you heard
him/her say so you are both in an
understanding
Discuss Options
Address needs and resources
Encourage help
Avoid easy answers such as “everything will
be fine”
Talking about suicide is a cry for help
Call 911 for Emergency Services
If a student is a danger to self or others-call for
help!
Verbal or physical threats, use of a weapon, etc.
After Talking with the Student
Make notes of
your discussion
(CYA)
Consult & Collaborate
You don’t have to do this alone!
Consult with Others
Let others know your
concerns
Before or after you speak
with the student
Consult with others on your
experience
Every situation is unique
Collaboration
Know your campus
and what student
services are available.
Work with other
services to better help
your students.
Collaboration & Resource Referrals
Mental health providers (counselors, psychologists, social
workers, case workers, etc.)
TRIO programs (Student Support Services)
Career/Transfer services
Disability services
Health services
Community resources
Mental Health Services
If you are not a mental health provider, do not try to
provide mental health services to students.
Have your campus mental health provider’s number
handy (or memorize it!)
You must have a positive view of counseling and promote
how it will benefit the student.
Be open to walking them to the counseling center and/or
helping them make the call.
Promoting a Healthy Campus
A healthy campus is necessary if we want them to reach
out for help-if they don’t feel safe, they will not seek help
Be open and willing to help students in need
Direct them to appropriate resources-don’t give them the
run around and send them to multiple people
This creates a safe, supportive, and educational
environment for student success
Questions??
Megan Metzcus
mmetzcus@tcl.edu
843.525.8288
Resources
 https://www.armstrong.edu/images/uploads/counselingcenter/identifying_and_referring_the_distressed_student.pdf
 http://www.calstate.edu/redfolder/long-beach/Red-Folder-Long-Beach.pdf
 http://www.duq.edu/life-at-duquesne/student-services/counseling-andwellbeing-/recognizing-and-assissting-troubled-students/identifying-warning-signs
 http://www.umich.edu/~mhealth/pdf/HelpingStudentsInDistress.pdf
 https://www.brocku.ca/health-services/health-education/stress/eustress-distress
 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distress