Northwestern University in Qatar

How to Support a Student in Distress

For a student in immediate danger

All concerns requiring immediate intervention (i.e., a life threatening physical or mental health emergency or immediate danger, criminal activity, violent/threatening behavior, imminate suicidal behaviors) should be directed to emergency services:  

In the NU-Q Building

• Call NU-Q Security Control Room at  4454 5247 

Within Education City

• Call 4454-0999 or 5556-4701

Outside Education City:

• Call 999

How to refer a student to Counseling and WEllness

There are several ways to make a referral to Counseling and Wellness if you are concerned about a student:

1. Encourage the student to visit Counseling and Wellness located in 1-319 or -320.   
2. Invite the student to accompany you to Counseling and Wellness.  Often students will agree to come to in the company of a friend or mentor when they would otherwise be reluctant to come by themselves.
3. If appropriate, have the student call from your office phone and speak with a counselor. The counselor may invite the student to stop by the same day.

Signs of Distress

Certain events in a person’s life can trigger a crisis. What may seem of minor importance to one person can be extremely distressing to another.

The person has experienced a crisis event.

The kinds of events that may trigger a crisis in the life of a college student might include:

• Breakup or rejection in an important relationship
• An abusive or controlling relationship or incident of sexual assault
• Loss of an important opportunity, goal, or status
• Academic failure
• Facing legal or administrative sanctions and consequences
• Death of a loved one

The person is acting differently than they normally do.

Below is a listing of possible behavioral changes you may see in a student who is in distress:

• Mood changes
• Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
• Lack of energy
• Increasingly sad or depressed mood
• Very flat; apathetic
• Increased irritability, anger, or restlessness
• Increased anxiousness, panic, or persistent worrying

Academic behaviors:

• Extreme procrastination and/or poorly prepared schoolwork
• Infrequent class attendance
• Inability to concentrate
• Falling asleep in class
• Disturbing material in academic assignments
• Impaired speech or disjointed thoughts
• Hyperactivity or very rapid speech
• Strange or bizarre behavior

Interpersonal behaviors:

• Social withdrawal, isolation
• Unable to enjoy activities that are normally enjoyable
• Having trouble leaving one's residence hall, house, or apartment
• Threatens, talks about, or hints at doing harm to self or others

Physical Changes

• Sleeping too much or too little, erratic sleep patterns
• Always tired or very restless
• Changes in eating habits and weight
• Apathy about appearance, health, or personal hygiene

If you become concerned about a student and would like to consult with a Counseling, Health and Wellness counselor, please email wellness@qatar.northwestern.edu or call 4454-5073/5082. Counseling and Wellness staff are available to offer consultation to anyone concerned about a student member of the university community.  Additionally, you can complete a person of concern form (anonymously if you choose) to alert the Behavioral Consultation Team of the concern for a student.  The person of concern form is for non-emergency concerns regarding student welfare and/or behavior which could impact the safety or well-being of the individual of concern and/or the campus community.