College can be both an exciting and overwhelming experience, and friends are usually the first people students seek for support. Helping a friend through a tough time can be difficult and sometimes feel like more than you can handle on your own.
Pay attention to warning signs such as:
- sleep disturbance
- excessive sadness and frequent crying
- changes in appetite
- extreme mood changes
- loss of interest in activities
- increased nervousness
- avoidance of friends, classes and social events
- hopelessness / worthlessness
- issues focusing
- excessive use of alcohol or drugs
- high risk taking behaviors
- seeing or hearing things that are not real
- thinking or talking about death / dying or harm to self or others
If you are concerned about a friend you can listen, be supportive and encourage them to seek professional help. You can give a friend our phone number, sit with them while they make the call or walk them into our office. If you are unsure about what to do, our staff is available to help.
Read more about How to Help a Friend
