Supporting a student who is not feeling well
When a student is struggling, it is important to dare to ask, listen, and help them access support.
1. Show that you care
Ask the student how they are feeling.
Let them know that you notice they seem to be struggling.
Be present and listen.
Listening often goes a long way at the beginning.
You do not need to offer advice or solutions right away.
2. Dare to ask questions
It is common to feel unsure when someone is not doing well.
You may worry about saying the wrong thing or making the situation worse.
Those feelings are understandable — but you do not need to be afraid.
Showing care and taking signs of distress seriously will not make things worse.
3. Help the student access support
Ask what kind of support the student has around them:
- Is there someone they can talk to?
- Is there any other form of support?
If support is lacking, encourage the student to contact Student Health Services.
You can also help by calling or accompanying them.
Student Health Services may not always be able to provide immediate care, but we can:
- offer a brief initial consultation
- help identify further support
We do not provide treatment, but we can be a first step toward getting help.
4. Ask about suicidal thoughts if you are concerned
If you feel that the student is doing very poorly, ask whether they have thought about taking their own life.
This may feel difficult, but:
- it shows that you notice how the student is feeling
- asking does not “trigger” such thoughts
Research shows that asking about suicidal thoughts can be preventive and may help the person seek support.
5. If the student has suicidal thoughts
Having suicidal thoughts does not always mean that there is a plan.
You can gently ask:
- how long the thoughts have been present
- whether the student has thought about how or when
- whether they have access to means
If there is a clear plan and access to means, the situation is more urgent.
If you feel concerned that the student may harm themselves:
- contact Student Health Services directly
- or call psychiatric emergency services at 010-8319840 for advice
You can also help the student get to:
- Student Health Services
- a primary care clinic
- a psychiatric emergency unit
Do not hesitate to reach out — it can make a significant difference.
Läs mer om suicid och vart du kan få stöd:
Region Värmland- suicidprevention