Recognize

Recognize

Types of Concerning Behavior

• Disruptive Classroom Behavior

  • Aggressive behavior
  • Argumentative
  • Excessive Absenteeism
  • Inappropriate boundaries

• Physical and Mental Health Concerns

  • Changes in academic performance
  • Difficulties sleeping
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Symptoms of depression or anxiety
  • Lack of responsiveness or emotional expression
  • Paranoia
  • Extreme or sudden changes in behavior
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Insolation or alienation from others.
  • Unusual or erratic behavior
  • Clear signs of distress
  • Changes in appearance or hygiene
  • Substance use or abuse
  • Cutting or other self-harming behaviors

• Threatening Behaviors

  • Threatening words or actions
  • Violent or aggressive behavior
  • Homicidal thoughts or ideations
  • Fascination with violence, weapons, fire or ammunition
  • Disturbing written material or classroom discussion
  • Direct statements threatening harm to others

• Suicidal Behaviors

  • Written or verbal expression of suicidal ideation
  • Suicidality, including threats, gestures, thoughts or attempts
  • Pre-occupation with dying
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Engaging in risky or reckless behaviors
  • Giving away belongings without logical explanation

Recognizing a Student in Distress

• "Not sure what, but something's wrong."

  • Disturbing content in paper/emails
  • Decline in academic performance
  • Excessive absenteeism
  • Irrational or bizarre behavior
  • Sudden change in demeanor (e.g. an extroverted student withdraw, an organized student forgetful, etc.)

• Family or Personal Tragedy Loss or Crisis

  Examples: Illness or death of family member, job loss, breakup, legal difficulties, etc.

  • Frequent or extended absences
  • Decline in academic performance
  • Mentions relationship, financial or other challenges
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Exhaustion/fatigue, excessive worry, sleeping/eating problems

• Medical and Mental Health Concerns

  Examples: sudden or long-term illness, depression, or anxiety.

  • Direct statements about medical and/or mental health concerns
  • Frequent or extended absences
  • Excessive fatigue, falling asleep in class
  • Significant decline in appearance, behavior or personal hygiene
  • Noticeable weight loss or gain
  • Irritability, agitation, or anxiety
  • Emotionless facial expression, slow speech, difficulty concentrating, expressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
  • Crying or tearfulness
  • Unusually withdrawn or animated behavior
  • Disorganized speech, rapid or slurred speech, confusion
  • Decline in academic performance, leaving class abruptly
  • Extreme disorganization or erratic academic performance

• Self-Harm, Suicide, Safety Risk

  • Written or verbal statements preoccupied with themes of death, suicide, or harming self or others
  • Fresh cuts, scratches or other wounds
  • Withdrawal from activities and friends
  • Statements of hopelessness such as, “I hate this life” or “Everyone is better off without me”
  • Statements to the effect that the student is “going away for a long time”
  • Physical or verbal aggression that is directed at self, others, animals, or property
  • May accompany other types of emotional distress (see medical and mental health concerns above)

• Alcohol or Other Drug Use

  • Intoxicated/high in class or at meetings/events
  • Excessive sleepiness or hyper energy
  • Decline in academic performance
  • References to alcohol or drug use in conversations, papers, projects, etc.
  • Deterioration in physical appearance (bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, trembling hands, etc.)
  • Unusual smells on breath, body or clothes

• Misconduct, Inappropriate Behavior, and Classroom Disruption

  • Disruptive Conduct: Inappropriate outbursts or persistent interruptions, continued arguing beyond the scope of academic debate, use of threats
  • Disorderly conduct*: Throwing items, refusing to leave, preventing others from leaving, showing or stating the presence of a weapon*Disorderly conduct and threatening behaviors require immediate action

• Crime, Victimization, Hazing

  • Appears fearful, anxious, nervous or angry
  • Withdrawal from activities and friends
  • Visible injuries or bruises
  • Cuts, brands, or scars with a distinct pattern (e.g. Greek alphabet letter)
  • Unusual absence of or damage to personal items such as laptop, cellphone, etc.

• Violence, harassment, Interpersonal/Sexual Assualt

  • Appears fearful or unusually anxious about pleasing others
  • Apologizes or makes excuses for partner/other’s behavior
  • Mentions partner/other’s possessiveness, jealousy or violent behavior, but may laugh it off
  • Visible injuries or bruises
  • Frequent mishaps or injuries with illogical or no explanations
  • Crying or leaving when sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking or child abuse is brought up

• Bullying, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Cyberstalking

  • Internet trolling, name-calling or harassment
  • Communications that continue after being told to stop
  • Threatening to release private information/photos
  • Verbal abuse, innuendo of a sexual nature, unwanted sexual flirtations
  • Demand for sexual favors by peer or supervisor accompanied by implied or overt threat concerning an individual’s academic status or employment
  • Display of sexually suggestive pictures or cartoons in workspace, residence halls or online
  • Continued jokes, language, gestures or remarks of a sexual nature