Warning signs to look out for

Below are a number of signs which might indicate that a student is experiencing some form of emotional distress.

Academic signs:

• Absence from tutorials, lectures or persistent failure to attend scheduled meetings, with or without prior or post explanation

• A sudden and/or significant drop in assessment grades

• Repeated requests for extensions

• Failure to respond to communications i.e. emails/texts/letters regarding academic engagements, registration or financial demands

Emotional signs:

The student appears:

• Anxious, tense, sad, tearful, angry or agitated

• Withdrawn and/or spending a considerable amount of time alone, when this is not their usual behaviour

• Distracted or preoccupied

• Lethargic, low mood and/or lacking motivation

• Excessively suspicious

• Any other behaviour that seems ‘out of character’

Physical signs:

• Speech sounds flat, agitated, excessively loud or quiet

• Deterioration in personal appearance and/or personal hygiene

• Friends of the student or other staff tell you something that may indicate a problem

• Significant weight loss or gain