Tips for Recognizing Distress

All of us at some time in our lives may have hard days, feel sad, worried, and/or upset; however, significant distress experienced over a period of time may suggest a more serious problem. If you have any doubts that a fellow student is in significant distress, contact a chaplain, MDC (410-293-4897), or your chain of command.

Download a helpful guide on Helping Midshipmen in Distress. 

Students in distress may exhibit behaviors that do not disrupt others but may indicate something is wrong and that assistance is needed. Behaviors may include:

1. Serious grade problems or a change from consistently passing grades to unaccountably poor performance. 
2. Unusual or markedly changed patterns of interaction, i.e., avoidance of participation, excessive anxiety when called upon, etc.
3. Other characteristics that suggest the student is having trouble managing stress successfully e.g., a depressed, lethargic mood; very rapid speech; marked change in personal dress and hygiene.
4. Behavior or speech suggestive of giving up or hopelessness; no longer trying, reduced participation in activities, talk of feeling "trapped" or devoid of hope.

Students in distress may exhibit behaviors that indicate significant emotional distress. They may also be reluctant or unable to acknowledge a need for personal help. Behaviors include:

1. Repeated requests for special consideration, such as deadline extensions, especially if the student appears uncomfortable or highly emotional while disclosing the circumstances prompting the request:
2. New or repeated behavior that pushes the limits of decorum and interferes with effective management of the immediate environment.
3. Unusual or exaggerated emotional responses that are obviously inappropriate to the situation.

When responding to those who might be in need, keep in mind the following:

1. Acknowledge your observations, express concerns directly and honestly. Possible ways of doing this include the following: "I noticed you've been down lately. What's going on?" or "That sounded like a rough phone call. Anything I can do to help?" or "I couldn't help but notice that you were.... I'd love to listen if you feel like telling me what's up."
2. Listen to what is said, without labeling. judging, or minimizing. Don't be afraid to ask specifically about suicide.
3. Know your limitations. It's not your job to judge severity or to solve the person's problem. You should, however, know where to get help and guide the person toward professionals who are available to respond to issues like this (MDC, BMU, Chaplains).

How to Help

How to provide assistance to a mildly/moderately troubled student:

• Deal directly with the behavior/problem according to classroom or Company protocol.
• Address the situation on a more personal level.
• Consult with a colleague.
• Refer the student to the MDC or a Chaplain.

Guidelines for talking with a student in distress:

• Accept and respect what is said.
• Help determine what needs to be done or changed.
• Try to focus on an aspect of the problem that is manageable.
• Avoid giving advice, judging, evaluating, and criticizing.
• Avoid easy answers such as, "Everything will be alright."
• Help identify resources needed to improve things. Encourage them to explore resources found in the Self-Help Tools and Additional Resources.
• Help the person recall constructive methods used in the past to cope; get the person to agree to do something constructive to change things.
• Offer yourself as a caring person until professional assistance has been obtained.
• Trust your insight and reactions.
• Let others know your concerns.
• Attempt to address the person's needs and seek appropriate resources.
• Avoid contributing unnecessarily to the person's guilt or sense of failure.
• Do not swear secrecy or offer confidentiality to the person.
• Encourage the person to seek help.
• When called for, let the person know you are worried about their safety.
• If you are concerned the student may be feeling hopeless and thinking about ending their life, ask if she/he is contemplating suicide. It is important to remember that talking about suicide is a cry for help and is not to be ignored.
• Dispel myths about seeking help, such as "I will be seen as weak" or "It will ruin my military career."

Warning Signs

When to Refer a Student for Further Assistance

Some signs that suggest problems for which the student should be referred for assessment are if the student:

• Manifests a change in personality (goes from being actively involved to quiet and withdrawn, or goes from being quiet to more agitated or demanding).
• Shows signs of memory loss.
• Exhibits behaviors or emotions that are inappropriate to the situation. 
• Shows signs of depression (no visible emotions or feelings, appears lethargic, loses weight, looks exhausted and complains of sleeping poorly, displays feelings of worthlessness or self-hatred, or is apathetic about previous interests).
• Talks about unusual patterns of eating, not eating, or excessively eating.
• Experiences deteriorating academic performance (incapacitating test anxiety, sporadic class attendance, or extended absences from class).
• Begins or increases alcohol intake.
• Makes statements regarding suicide, homicide, feelings of hopelessness, or helplessness.

How to Make a Referral

While many students go to the MDC on their own, your exposure to students increases the likelihood you will identify signs or behaviors of distress in a student. What can you do?

• Recommend the student request for an appointment either by going to the MDC, emailing mdc@usna.edu, or calling the MDC at 410-293-4897.
• Determine the student's willingness to go to a helping resource. Reassure the student that it is an act of strength to ask for help.
• Dispute the myth that only "weak or crazy" people go for counseling or use others for help.
• Remind them that the MDC is a confidential service that will not go in their medical record. On the pre-commissioning form, midshipmen should select “no” if they only used MDC.
• Offer to help make the initial contact with the helping resource.