25 24 Chapter One: Recognizing Students in Difficulties and Distress CONVERSATION STARTERS Many people are not aware that there are two types of stress: eustress and distress. Eustress is the good stress that could motivate us to continue to enjoy studying and working. Distress, on the contrary, is when the stress turns too much to sustain, bear or cope with, and eventually results in physiological, behavioral, cognitive and emotional symptoms. Our students may experience both eustress and distress throughout their university years. Along the journey, they not only have to juggle rigorous academic demands, but also to cope with developmental challenges such as new relationships and friendships, as well as new responsibilities from family and peer network. Feelings of anxiety, isolation, rejection, refusal, mistrust, helplessness or even hopelessness are not uncommon among students at certain moments. They may also feel disconnected in attempting to deal with grief, loss, emotional or physical abuse, trauma and other psychological disorders. All these multiple stressors may result in serious daily dysfunctions or maladjustments of their academic performance, interpersonal life, and life goals. “Starting a mental health conversation is beneficial. Even for the most serious psychological problems, there is a high rate of recovery or good prognosis if proper treatment can be rendered.” Starting a mental health conversation is beneficial. Even for the most serious psychological problems, there is a high rate of recovery or good prognosis if proper treatment can be rendered. Unfortunately, some students just fail or procrastinate to get immediate support they need for various reasons, such as insufficient knowledge about the early warning signs of symptoms, denial or stigma of mental illness, lack of information about campus and community resources, as well as doubts on the confidentiality of the discussions. Chapter One: Recognizing Students in Difficulties and Distress
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