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Students in Distress

Members of the Radford University community - professors, staff, parents, etc. - are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students office and/or Student Counseling Services when encountering a student in emotional or personal distress. 

Signs of Students in Distress:

  • References to suicide (written or verbal).
  • Noted isolation from friends, classmates or other support persons.
  • Marked change in behavior.
  • Listlessness, lack of energy.
  • Impaired speech or garbled, disjointed thoughts.
  • High levels of irritability, unruly or abusive behavior.
  • Students who appear overly nervous, tense or tearful.
  • Anxiety, stress, depression.
  • Marked inability to make decisions.
  • Drug and alcohol abuse.
  • Normal emotions displayed to an extreme degree or for a prolonged period.
  • Threat to others.
  • Marked changes in personal hygiene.
  • Dramatic weight loss or change.

As a faculty or staff member, you may at some point become concerned about a student’s behavior. It is not always easy to discern the difference between inappropriate behavior and behavior that could signal a more significant problem. A student who exhibits any of the following behaviors may warrant further attention:

  • Suddenly stops attending class.
  • Academic performance drops off considerably.
  • Demonstrates a loss of interest in normal activities or avoid friends.
  • Changes in appearance, e.g., a sudden, drastic weight loss or weight gain, blood shot eyes or disheveled grooming.
  • Demonstrates alarming changes in personality, e.g., suddenly interrupting others in class or acting out in an inappropriate manner or acting overly silly or crying in class.
  • Appears angry and aggressive or the opposite, suddenly becomes sullen and withdrawn.
  • Appears or reports feeling increasingly sad or tired.
  • Talks about a significant loss (a death, divorce or end of a relationship).
  • Talks about being in a relationship that appears to be abusive without realizing that such a relationship may not be normal or healthy.
  • Speaks or acts in an odd manner.
  • Communicates that life is not worth living, either written or verbal, and that he or she has considered suicide.
  • Indicates verbally or in writing that he or she wants to harm someone.

These behaviors can occur in class, at a campus event, in an advising session or anywhere on campus.

How Do I Approach a Student in Distress?

  • Request to speak with the student in private.
  • Express your concern for the student in a direct, non-judgmental and straightforward manner. Openly acknowledge the specific behaviors that you have observed that are of concern to you.
  • Listen carefully and be empathic.
  • Avoid criticizing or sounding judgmental.
  • Try not to make agreements with the student that isolate you in dealing with the problem.
  • Consider SCS as a resource and discuss a referral with the student.  Our services are confidential and free of charge for students.
  • If the student refuses to make an appointment and you are concerned, contact SCS to discuss your concern.

How Do I Refer a Student to Student Counseling Services?

  • Encourage the student to call SCS at 540-831-5226 to schedule an initial consultation and to meet with a counselor. 
  • Ideally, the student will walk over to our office on his/her own. However, if you wish to be certain that the student makes an appointment, please contact the administrative assistant at SCS and let them know you are walking over the student. 
  • If you are concerned about a student but are uncertain about the appropriateness of a referral, feel free to call the SCS and speak with one of our staff.
  • If you are worried about a student's safety, please contact RUPD at 540-831-5500. 
  • For mental health emergencies that occur at Radford University sites in Roanoke, contact CONNECT at 800-284-8898 or the Blue Ridge Behavioral Health  hotline at 540-981-9351.
  • For mental health emergencies that occur at Radford University sites in Abingdon, contact Highlands Community Services Board at 276-628-9504 or 276-676-6277 after 5 p.m.

Who Do I Call?

If you feel uncertain of how to handle any given situation, please contact the following resources:

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