Common symptoms of emotional distress and mental health concerns:

• Depressive or irritable moods (e.g. depressed or lethargic moods, sleep problems, poor concentration, loss of interest, low energy, excessive guilt, anxiety, irritability, rapid uncontrollable emotional changes, depressive thoughts)
• Marked changes in behaviours (e.g. deterioration in personal hygiene, significant weight loss or gain, changes in alertness, overspending, a sudden increase in strength and energy even with decreased sleep, an increase in impulsive or risky behaviours)
• Marked changes in interaction patterns (e.g. social withdrawal, avoidance of participation, excessive anxiety when called upon, easily startled, tendency to dominate discussions)
• Excessive drinking, self-medication, or other addictive behaviours
• Loss of motivation, drop in grades, or excessive absences
• Repeated requests for special consideration, such as deadline extensions, with or without justifications for such requests
• Concern comments or complaints from close friends about student’s mental conditions
• The problems persist despite efforts spent
• The student is developing an unhealthy dependence on others (e.g. friends, family, or teachers) for support

Seek help immediately if

• Overtly suicidal thoughts (e.g. talking about suicide as a current option in oral or written forms)
• Homicidal thoughts or threats to harm others
• Gross mental impairments or confusion
• Uncontrollable crying or intense emotions
• Loss of contact with reality (e.g. seeing or hearing things, which others cannot see or hear, and beliefs or actions greatly at odds with reality or probability)
• Bizarre behaviours (e.g. stalking behaviours)
• Inappropriate communications (e.g. threatening messages or harassment)
• Highly disruptive behaviours (e.g. hostility, aggression, or violence)