Helping Students in Distress

The emotional and academic pressure of college life, while manageable and even exciting for most students, can be simply overwhelming for others. Such students may not yet have attained the level of maturity necessary to develop adequate coping skills, or they may be struggling with relatively long-standing emotional difficulties that are exacerbated by the transition to college.

Due to your position, status, and visibility on campus, students experiencing emotional distress may turn to you for help. Or, because of your role, you may find yourself confronted by a disturbed or disturbing student who needs assistance. The way in which you respond in these situations could have a significant impact on the student's ability to deal constructively with his or her emotional conflicts.

However, responding to students in distress can often be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. Therefore, the Counseling Center staff has organized this webpage to assist you in helping students. Should you feel the need to consult with professionals or think that a student should do so, we welcome the opportunity to help. Please keep our telephone number handy: 410-617-2273. We very much appreciate the role you may play as a help-giver in the campus community, and hope this site will be useful to you in your efforts.

Use the following links for more helpful information:

• What You Should Know About Student Problems and Symptoms of Distress
• How to Respond to Students in Distress and Student Emergencies
• Supporting a Student Who Has an Ill Loved One or Who Has Had a Loss