Recognizing When A Student Is Struggling
Educators have a unique point of view on their students. They have insight into students’ work and attendance, as well as personality in class and office hours, but it’s not always easy to recognize if someone is struggling with their mental health.
The important thing for educators to note is that it’s best to check in with students to see how they’re doing rather than letting warning signs pass. After all, the act of showing care is a part of supporting mental health. Here are some indications that a student might be struggling with their mental health:
1 – Missing assignments
2 – Work is below a student’s usual standard
3 – Repeatedly absent from class
4 – Seem more withdrawn and less participatory in class
If a student is showing some of the warning signs, educators need to know what to do and what not to do to offer the best possible support.
DO
- Speak privately to the student.
- Tell them what you’ve noticed that makes you concerned.
- Ask open-ended questions about how they are doing.
- Let them know you are here to listen and connect them to support if they need it.
- Share campus resources and ask if they need support or help in accessing them.
- If you feel a student is at immediate risk of self-harm, let the appropriate campus staff know.
DON’T
- Underestimate a student’s struggles. It’s better to check in when it’s not needed than to miss a potentially harmful situation.
- Promise confidentiality because school policy may require you to report students who are at immediate risk of harm.
- Leave the students by themselves if you feel they’re at immediate risk.
It may feel challenging to speak with a student about mental health, but educators should know they don’t have to be clinicians to start these conversations. Stanford University has an excellent resource for its educators called the Red Folder. Among other resources, it provides sample scripts for talking with students, giving educators real-world examples and guidance on language use and how to frame these sometimes difficult conversations.
Stanford’s Red Folder: Conversation Examples
Note, that these sample lines are simply meant as guides and advice on how to speak with students in different situations. It’s critical to use your own voice, speak naturally, and adapt to the specific situation.
Starting a Dialogue with a Potentially Struggling Student
“Hi _____, I just wanted to check in. I’ve noticed _______, and wanted to see if you want to talk about it”
“Yeah, I lost my grandmother recently and I’ve had a hard time handling it. I had to go home for the services, my parents are struggling with the stress of everything so I don’t really have them to talk to about it.”
Replying and Being Open to Listening with Care and Empathy
“I’m sorry, that seems like such a hard situation to be in, what has that been like for you?”
“It’s been hard. It feels like things are piling up and it’s hard to even get moving some days. I wish things like school and my job would just slow down.”
Sharing a Commitment to Caring
“Thank you for being so open with me. I want to stay connected as you move through this challenge, and I also want to make sure that you’re getting the kind of help you need. I really think you may find _______ to be a very helpful and comforting resource. Their whole job is to support students through these very challenges. I know many students who have found _______ to be just the kind of support they needed.”