How Might I Know if Someone is Severely Depressed or Potentially Suicidal Behavior?

Below is a brief checklist of signs that MAY alert you to a student who is seriously depressed. This checklist is not intended to be used as an instrument to diagnose depression. If you have believe that a student fits several of the below descriptions, please call the Counseling Center at x3141 to discuss your concerns.

1. Have you noticed significant changes in the student's overt behavior patterns?

Sleeping
Eating
Studying
Use of drugs/alcohol
Time spent with others
Weight gain or loss

2. Have you noticed significant changes in the student's affect (emotions)? Look for patterns.

Hyperactive
Excited
Withdrawn
Depressive Mood swings
Anxious
Panicked

3. Is the student abusing drugs or alcohol?

4. What is the quality of social relationships for this student?

Lack of close
Supportive friends
Rarely participates in group activities
Spends little time with others
>Non-supportive family ties

5. Have there been any recent traumatic or stressful events in this student's life?

Death of a loved one
Changes in close relationships (breaking up of a love affair)
Changes in family relationships
Poor academic performance
Serious illness (AIDS, cancer, diabetes, etc.)

6. Has the student hinted at suicide or talked about helplessness?

7. Has the student attempted suicide before?

8. Has a close friend of this student or family member committed suicide?

9. Does this student engage in physically dangerous activities?

10. Has the student exhibited increasing concern about death or life after death?