Academic Indicators
- Persistent unexplained absences
- Deterioration in quality/quantity of work
- Extreme disorganization or erratic performance
- Written or artistic expressions of unusual violence, morbidity, social isolation, despair, or confusion
- Continual seeking of special permission (extensions, make-up work)
- Patterns of perfectionism
- Disproportionate response to grades or other evaluations
Emotional Indicators
- Direct statements indicating distress
- Significant change in mood
- Angry or hostile outbursts, yelling, or aggressive comments
- More withdrawn or more animated than usual
- Appears over-anxious
- Excessively demanding or dependent behavior
- Fails to respond to outreach from staff/faculty
Physical Indicators
- Deterioration in physical appearance or personal hygiene
- Excessive fatigue, exhaustion;
- Erratic or disjointed thinking – skips around a lot; unable to stay focused on one topic; topics don’t align
- Noticeable cuts, bruises, burns
- Frequent or chronic illness
- Disorganized speech, rapid or slurred speech; confusion
- Substance abuse
Other Factors To Consider
- Concern expressed by another student or teaching assistant
- Student is experiencing substantial and prolonged financial or legal problems
- A sixth sense or hunch that something is wrong
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