TSU Emergency Support

TSU Counseling Center 

Immediate Crisis Assistance

If you or a fellow student is in an emergency:

• On-campus: Call 713-313-7000

• Off-campus: Dial 911

Recognizing & Assisting a Distressed Student Students may face challenges related to mental health, academic stress, or personal struggles. Identifying signs of distress early and seeking timely support is crucial in preventing crises. Encourage students to reach out for professional counseling, crisis intervention, and mental wellness resources available through Texas Southern University’s Counseling Center.

Recognizing Signs of Student Distress – Early Intervention Matters

Students experiencing distress may exhibit extreme emotions, unusual behaviors, threatening actions, or significant changes in daily functioning. Identifying these warning signs early can help provide timely support and intervention, preventing further emotional challenges. Encouraging access to mental health resources, counseling, and crisis support can make a difference in their well-being and academic success.

Recognizing Academic Challenges – Signs of Struggling Students

Students experiencing academic difficulties may show signs like declining performance, inconsistent work quality, frequent requests for special accommodations, infrequent class attendance, and a pattern of low grades. Identifying these challenges early allows for timely intervention, academic support, and access to resources that promote student success and retention. Encouraging engagement with tutoring, counseling, and faculty support can help students overcome obstacles and improve their academic performance.

Recognizing Physical Signs of Student Distress

Students experiencing distress may show noticeable changes in personal hygiene, self-care, or overall appearance. Signs such as a disheveled or fatigued look, lack of energy, listlessness, or sudden weight fluctuations can indicate underlying mental health concerns. Early recognition of these symptoms allows for timely support, intervention, and access to wellness resources, helping students maintain their well-being and academic success.

Recognizing Social Withdrawal in Students

Students experiencing social withdrawal may begin to distance themselves from friends, family, and peers, avoiding interactions and disengaging from social activities. These changes can indicate underlying mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or emotional distress. Early intervention and access to counseling and support resources can help students rebuild connections and maintain their overall well-being.

Identifying Strange Behaviors & Impaired Thinking in Students

Students experiencing mental distress may exhibit bizarre or inappropriate behaviors, incoherent speech, delusional thinking, agitation, restlessness, or unusual difficulty in decision-making. These signs may indicate underlying emotional or psychological concerns, requiring timely intervention and support. Encouraging students to seek professional counseling and mental health resources can help them regain stability and well-being.

Recognizing Signs of Uncontrolled Emotions in Students

Students experiencing intense anxiety, irritability, anger, frequent tearfulness, or a depressed mood may be struggling with emotional distress or mental health challenges. Identifying these signs early is crucial to providing timely support, intervention, and access to professional counseling services. Encouraging students to seek mental health resources can help them develop healthy coping strategies and regain emotional balance.

Recognizing Threatening Statements & Disruptive Behaviors in Students

Students displaying threats to harm themselves or others, aggressive gestures, alarming notes or drawings, and disruptive behaviors may be experiencing severe emotional distress or crisis. Identifying these warning signs early is essential for preventing harm and ensuring timely intervention. Encouraging access to mental health resources, crisis support, and counseling can help students manage their emotions and restore stability.

Identifying Signs of Substance Abuse in Students

Students exhibiting public intoxication, noticeable body or clothing odor, impaired balance, slurred speech, or heightened emotional reactions may be struggling with substance abuse issues. Recognizing these signs early is essential for intervention, support, and access to counseling and addiction recovery resources. Encouraging students to seek professional help can lead to healthier choices and overall well-being.