Roane State Community College

There are usually indicators that a student is experiencing distress before the student either disconnects from the college or experiences a crisis. As a member of the Roane State community, you may be the first to notice when a student starts displaying signs of distress. Early intervention is often key is helping a student connect to resources and helping them successfully navigate the difficulties they are experiencing. Displaying one of these indicators alone does not necessarily mean the student is experiencing a crisis. However, sometimes different people involved in a student’s experience will notice different things. If everyone reports concerns, the BIT Team can review and determine the level of outreach needed by the student.

If you notice the signs, often a direct conversation with the student can help gather some additional information, allow you to express your concern, and provide information about campus and community resources that may be valuable.

Types of Indicators

Behavioral and Emotional Indicators

• Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or loss
• Angry, hostile outbursts, yelling, or aggressive comments
• More withdrawn or animated than usual
• Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness, crying, or tearfulness
• Expressions of severe anxiety or irritability
• Excessively demanding or dependent behavior
• Lack of response to your outreach
• Shakiness, tremors, fidgeting, or pacing
• Overblown or disproportionate response to grades or other evaluations

Physical Indicators

• Deterioration in physical appearance or personal hygiene
• Falling asleep in class repeatedly, excessive fatigue, exhaustion
• Statements about change in appetite or weight
• Noticeable cuts, bruises, or burns
• Frequent or chronic illnesses
• Disorganized speech, rapid or slurred speech, confusion
• Unusual inability to make eye contact
• Coming to class bleary-eyed or smelling of alcohol

Academic Indicators

• Written or artistic expression of unusual violence, morbidity, social isolation, despair, or confusion
• Essays or papers focusing on suicide or death
• Extreme disorganization or erratic performance

Other Factors

• A hunch or gut-level feeling that something is wrong
• Concern about a student expressed by another student, peer, or colleague

If someone is an immediate danger to themselves or others or is incapable of caring for oneself, call 911 immediately.