School counselors and nurses are often the first to notice when something isn’t right. A student who once seemed confident, focused, and social may begin showing subtle signs of distress — but it’s not always clear when to recommend outside help. Understanding when a student’s challenges move beyond what school-based support can provide is essential for early intervention and better outcomes.
Early Signs to Watch For
- Emotional or Behavioral Changes
- Persistent sadness, irritability, or tearfulness
- Withdrawal from friends, activities, or class participation
- Frequent emotional outbursts or sudden mood swings
- Academic and Concentration Issues
- Difficulty staying focused or finishing tasks
- Forgetfulness or disorganization that affects schoolwork
- Decline in grades despite continued effort
- Physical and Attendance Patterns
- Repeated nurse visits for vague headaches or stomach aches
- Excessive fatigue or changes in sleep habits
- Frequent absences or late arrivals
- Expressions of Hopelessness or Overwhelm
- Statements like “I can’t do this anymore” or “Nothing’s going to Change”
- Visible stress around schoolwork or social situations
When to Refer for Outside Support
If a student’s symptoms are lasting more than two weeks, interfering with learning, or causing significant distress, it’s time to involve a mental health provider. Depression, anxiety, and ADHD are among the most common — and most treatable — reasons students struggle in school.
Outside care allows for comprehensive evaluation and, when needed, medication management to stabilize symptoms and support academic performance.
How Solstice Healthcare Can Help
Solstice Healthcare partners with Connecticut schools to make psychiatric care accessible for students ages 10 and up — at no cost to the school. Our clinicians provide timely evaluation and medication management via secure telehealth, and we collaborate with school staff (with parent consent) to ensure ongoing support. When a student’s needs go beyond what school counseling can manage, quick access to expert care can make all the difference.
