Bellwood Principal
by Tom Jahde
February 01, 2010
Signs of a Child in Distress
Sometime in the course of the school year, it might become obvious to you that a certain student is in emotional distress. Signs of emotional distress aren't always easy to spot. Emotional distress can manifest itself in many different ways in different people. The following are a few of the signs that a student is having a tough time:
Is tense, cautious, paranoid, and mistrustful.
Sees a minor oversight or someone's unintentional putdown as significant personal rejection.
Overreacts to small occurrences.
Feels as though he or she is the focus of everyone's behavior.
Feels as though everything that happens has a special meaning to him or her.
Is overly concerned with fairness and equality.
Blames others for anything bad happening in his or her life and will express anger indirectly.
Feels worthless and inadequate.
It might be helpful to express concern and compassion without being overly friendly or familiar. Be aware of your own anxiety about how the student is acting or communicating. Always pay attention to your personal boundaries and space when dealing with the student. Keep a comfortable distance, both physically and emotionally.
You don't want to be overly warm or sympathetic or even flatter the student or use humor. Always remain firm, steady, punctual, and consistent. Don't be ambiguous in your response, either. Don't challenge or agree with the person. Send a clear, consistent message regarding what you are willing to do and what you expect.
Assure the student that you are there to help as an advocate. Don't hesitate to refer the student for additional professional counseling if appropriate.
This article was taken from the February issue of Cut & Paste Magazine
