Referral Information

Who Should I Refer?

As a staff, faculty, friend or parent you are in a good position to identify who might need help as you see and talk to students on a regular basis and often in stressful situations. If you notice that a student is exhibiting one or more of the following academic, physical or emotional signs, or you just have a "gut-feeling" that something is wrong, make a referral.

Academic Indicators

  • Deterioration in quality/quantity of work
  • A negative change in classroom or research performance (e.g., drop in grades)
  • Missed assignments or exams
  • Repeated absences from class or from research lab
  • Decline in enthusiasm in class (e.g., no longer participating in class discussion)
  • Student sends frequent, lengthy, "ranting" or threatening types of emails to professor/TA
  • Continual seeking of special provisions (e.g., late papers, extensions, postponed exams, and projects)

Emotional Indicators

  • Emotions (sadness, nervousness, fearfulness, etc.) that are displayed to an extreme degree or for a prolonged period of time.
  • Change in typical personality (e.g., more outgoing or more withdrawn than usual).
  • Difficulty connecting with the community, making friends, etc.
  • Difficulty dealing with a life event (e.g., death in family, relationship break-up).
  • Expressions of hopelessness, isolation, or worthlessness; themes of suicide, self-harm or reference to death and dying.
  • Marked irritability, anger, hostility.
  • Direct mention of thoughts of self-harm, harm to others, or suicide.
  • Mention of dealing with a mental health issue (depression, anxiety, Bipolar disorder, etc), substance abuse, eating disorder, etc.
  • Strange or bizarre behavior that is obviously inappropriate to the situation (e.g., seeing or hearing things other people don't).

Physical Indicators

  • Chronic fatigue or falling asleep at inappropriate times.
  • Marked change in personal hygiene or appearance.
  • Noticeable or dramatic change in energy level.
  • Dramatic weight loss or weight gain.
  • Impaired speech or confused, disjointed thoughts.
  • Frequently appears "hung-over" or attends class intoxicated.
  • Noticeable signs of self-harm (cuts, burns, etc).