If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or feel at risk of suicide:
Call 988 to speak with someone now
Go to your nearest emergency room
Get a list of mental heaelth and suicide prevention resources HERE
For any other emergenncy, please dial 911
Go to your nearest emergency room
Get a list of mental heaelth and suicide prevention resources HERE
For any other emergenncy, please dial 911
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4 – Seem more withdrawn and less participatory in class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.
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.
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.
