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Eastern Kentucky University

Counseling Center

Counseling Center 5 Helping Students and Others in Distress

Helping Students and Others in Distress

Often a family member, friend, or EKU faculty or staff member, will be the first to recognize that a student or someone else they know is developing signs of distress. These signs include:

  • Increased nervousness, agitation, or irritability
  • Withdrawal from others (isolation)
  • Sudden changes in academic performance
  • Sudden changes in personal or classroom relationships
  • Undue aggressive or abrasive behavior
  • Infrequent class attendance
  • Marked change in personal hygiene
  • Fearfulness
  • Dependency (e.g., the student who always hangs around you or constantly tries to see you)
  • Signs of depression (frequent crying, insomnia, oversleeping, sudden weight loss/gain, loss of pleasure)
  • Drug and alcohol abuse
  • Talk or threats of suicide
  • Confusion – including bizarre, alarming, or dangerous behaviors

If there is concern that a student is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, call 911 or EKU Police at 859-622-1111.

How to Make a Referral to EKUCC

Connecting the student to EKUCC can be an effective way to assist them in getting the help they may need through psychotherapy and counseling services. It is also strongly recommended that the student be connected to the EKU Student Assistance and Intervention Team (SAIT)SAIT is able to intervene, provide support, and connect students to additional assistance to be successful at EKU. To refer a student, complete the online SAIT REFERRAL FORM.

Counseling Center


521 Lancaster Avenue
CPO 52, Whitlock Building Room #571
Richmond, KY 40475-3152
Phone: 859-622-1303

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