How to Help Others in Distress

 

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Overview

One of the most heartening findings on California Community College health surveys is that students want to know more about how to help others who are in distress. We recognize when our family and peers are struggling emotionally and we want to help, but we don’t always know quite what to do. There are tools here for you to use to really help someone you care about.

College students are particularly prone to episodes of distress given all the plates they are balancing: school, work, and family. Students experiencing mild to moderate distress may exhibit disruptive behaviors such as altered social interactions, an abrupt decline in grades, or excessive absences. Students experiencing more severe levels of distress may demonstrate a call for help or inappropriate emotional responses. For example, a student experiencing more distress may blow up yelling obscenities in response to receiving a bad grade in class. Knowing the symptoms of each level may help you to determine how and when intervention is needed. Intervention could mean helping the distressed student by providing guidance and support, pointing them in the direction of necessary assistance, or telling someone who can get the appropriate help for them. The challenges and crisis which lead to distress pose as barriers to academic motivation and success, preventing many students from achieving their goals and may even lead them to drop out of college. Your concern and interest in helping them may play a key role in removing barriers leading them to achieve their goals. It could even prevent further crisis.

Students talking to students on Helping Others in Distress - take a look!

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The information in these modules is not intended to replace the services and advice from a medical or mental health professional.

 

Learn More

Check out more help and tips here:

  • Text 741741 from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Every texter is connected with a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem solving. All of Crisis Text Line's Crisis Counselors are volunteers, donating their time to helping people in crisis. For more information, visit the Crisis Text Line Links to an external site..

  • You can make a difference in others' lives. Visit the CCC Mental Health Program Kognito Links to an external site. for more information. To learn how to get started visit Kognito.

  • We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Links to an external site..

  • California Community College Student Mental Health (CCC SMHP) is a statewide student mental health program implemented in the 114 California community colleges. Visit CCC SMHP Links to an external site. to see a list of relevant websites and resources.

  • Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in your community. You achieve a certificate after completing the eight hour training. Find a class! Links to an external site.

  • Mental Health at Cuesta: (Links to an external site.) Our personal therapy services support students in their academic success and personal development. Our services are personalized, confidential and do not transfer with academic records.

Where is the Closest Help to Me?

Although this course has helpful information, it can't replace the face-to-face time we need sometimes. Need local help?

Click here to find mental health resources (Links to an external site.)

Click here to find general health resources

Student 101 & Cuesta Campus Well (Links to an external site.) is one of the ways that we are working to enhance Cuesta College’s culture of wellness.

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Spread the Word

California Community Colleges Health & Wellness

Need help? Text "courage" to 741741. Free. 24/7. Confidential. Many of us will experience a mental health challenge in our lifetime. All of us have a reason to speak up. Provided by Crisis Text Line.

Kognito logoKnow someone who needs help? Follow the link on the Kognito logo to learn more about how you can help others. 

 

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