Tips from the Pros: Advice for Dealing with Stressed and Anxious Students

Ken Einhaus, a project manager at the Center for Applied Research Solutions, offers dos and don’ts for dealing with online learners exhibiting a variety of mental health crises, including the following for dealing with stressed and anxious students:

  • Listen sincerely.
  • Provide appropriate reassurance and a safe and quiet environment until the symptoms decrease.
  • Be calm, clear, and directive.
  • Encourage the student to get help by talking with a counselor, attending a stress management workshop, or consulting various online resources.
  • Don’t minimize the severity of the student’s symptoms or perceived threat.
  • Don’t take responsibility for the student’s emotional state.
  • Don’t overwhelm the student with ways to “fix” his or her situation.

Reference: Einhaus, Ken. “Responding to Difficult or Distressed Online Students: Mental Health Assessment and Referrals.” Accessed September 22, 2014 at http://cccstudentmentalhealth.org/docs/CCCSMHP-Online-Students-MH-Assessments-Referrals.pdf.

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