Changes in a student's style and level of functioning are often indicators of distress. The suddenness and extent of change may reflect the severity of the difficulty.
Faculty & Staff Should Be Aware Of:

• Assignments not being turned in, or turned in late
• A change in frequency of absences from class
• Disinterest, apathy, and hopelessness
• Disruptiveness in class (e.g. angry outbursts, acting out)
• Excessive emotional content in discussing or writing class materials
• Mention of suicide or homicide in the content of coursework
• Significant decline or deficit in self care behaviors,(e.g. personal hygiene, extreme weight loss)
• Noticeable changes in personality or behavior
• Change in perception of reality
• Significant paranoia regarding government, law enforcement, administration, etc

Fellow Students Should Be Aware Of:

• Communicating threats against self, others, or the campus
• Fantasizing about harm to self, others, or the campus
• Aggressive behavior or speech
• Frequent mentioning of or discussion about death
• Noticeable changes in personality or behavior
• Increase in substance use/abuse
• Disinterest, apathy, and hopelessness
• Social withdrawal

Immediate Mental Health Emergencies:
Signs that the student may be experiencing a mental health emergency and, potentially, in danger of harm to self or others include:

• Direct suicidal or homicidal statements
• Bizarre speech
• Loss of contact with reality
• Extreme anxiety; panic

In these instances, walk the student to Counseling Services (VSSC 111), or call 911.