Signs of Depression: You may notice that a student exhibits the following signs of depression over a two week period or more which reflect a CHANGE in how the student was previously functioning:
- Reports feeling sad or appears sad, no longer enjoys or is interested in previously enjoyable activities
- Exhibits difficulty concentrating or appears indecisive (e.g., a student who was previously a good student is now having difficulty keeping up)
- Exhibits a decline in personal hygiene or a change in the quality of appearance (e.g., the student's clothes appear wrinkled, stained or have an odor; the student's hair is matted; the student has a strong body odor suggesting they haven't bathed in some time)
- Marked increase or decrease in sleep (e.g., the student may complain that s/he can't get out of bed; may be falling asleep in class; may report they are waking up early in the a.m. and unable to fall back asleep; may be missing classes or frequently coming to class late)
- Marked increase or decrease in appetite or weight (e.g., the student may appear haggard, as though they have lost a significant amount of weight, may complain they have no appetite; feel nauseous when they try to eat; conversely, the student may complain that they have gained a lot of weight recently and have an increased appetite)
- Exhibits excessive fatigue or loss of energy (e.g., the student may appear lethargic, or complain of having little energy to get through the day or complete tasks and may be asking for extensions for academic deadlines or exams).
- Expresses feelings of worthlessness, self reproach or guilt
- Reports feeling that his/her life is out of control
- Reports isolating from others (e.g., the student is no longer spending time with family, friends because they are not interested or don't have the energy)
- Comes to class smelling of alcohol or looking like they are under the influence of some kind of substance (e.g., the student has bloodshot eyes, slurred speech). (follow link for more information on Helping Students with Possible Alcohol or Other Drug Problems).
- Speaks or writes of death or suicide
Note that you are not necessarily going to observe all of these signs of distress in one person, but your antenna should be going up when you see several of these and they persist or appear to disappear only to return again.
Warning Signs of the Potential for Suicide
A student appears to have a preoccupation with death:
- May talk or write about being dead or wishing they were dead, how others would be happier if they were dead or how much better off others will be when they are gone. For example the student might say “I won’t be a problem for you much longer”, "Nothing matters”, “Its no use”, “I won’t see you again”, "I’m so depressed I just can’t take it anymore" or “I just want to go to sleep and never wake up”
- Appears obsessed with death, violence, guns or knives
- Indications of prolonged unhappiness or exhibits extreme mood swings; highly depressed episodes followed by happy episodes with no clear reason for the change (follow link for more information on Signs of Depression)
- Isolated, lonely
- Complains of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside
- Pessimistic about the future
- Repeatedly engages in very risky or dangerous thrill seeking behavior (e.g., drives recklessly, takes risks that they normally wouldn’t take)
- Engages in self destructive behavior (e.g., self cutting, burning oneself)
- Gets things in order- makes plans for the care of loved ones or pets, gives away cherished belongings to close friends or throws them away or suddenly returns borrowed items
- May exhibit signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts) "Voices are telling me to do bad things"
- Previous suicidal thoughts or attempts
Many students who attempt or complete a suicide will not necessarily exhibit all of these warning signs, therefore its important not to dismiss or minimize the importance of those signs you do become aware of.
DO’s
Take it seriously
Be willing to listen
Provide support & empathy
Be direct & ask if s/he:
Is considering suicide?
Has a plan?
Has the means to carry out the plan?
Has a time frame in mind?
Let them know that suicidal feelings are temporary
Call for help!
DON’Ts
Don’t leave the student alone
Don’t act shocked or surprised
Don’t challenge or dare
Don’t be sworn to secrecy
Don’t try to cajole or guilt them out of it (e.g., “You have so much to live for” or “Your suicide will hurt your family”)
