At one time or another, everyone feels depressed or upset.However, there are three levels of student distress which, when present over a period of time, suggest that the problems are more than the 'normal' reactions to life stressors.
Level 1 Distress
Although not disruptive to others in classroom or elsewhere, these behaviors in students may indicate that something is wrong and that help may be needed:
- Serious grade problems
- Unaccountable change from good to poor performance
- Change from frequent attendance to excessive absences
- Change in pattern of interaction
- Marked change in mood, motor activity or speech
- Marked change in physical appearance
Level 2 Disturbance
These behaviors in students may indicate significant emotional distress or a reluctance or inability to acknowledge a need for personal help:
- Repeated request for special consideration
- New or regularly occurring behavior which pushes the limits and may interfere with class management or be disruptive to others
- Unusual or exaggerated emotional response
Level 3 Dysregulation
These behaviors may show, in many cases that the student is in crisis and needs emergency care:
- Highly disruptive behavior (hostility, aggression, etc.)
- Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, slurred speech, disjointed thoughts)
- Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things that are not there, beliefs or actions at odds with reality)
- Overt suicidal thoughts (suicide is a current option)
- Homicidal threats
- Individuals deficient in skills that regulate emotion, cognition, self, behavior and relationships