My chemistry professor is a happy go lucky, total clown in class. Everyone loves him. If I happen to stop by after class in his office for help, twice I found him sitting alone at his desk with the saddest most lonely look on his face like hes going to cry.Then when he sees me or any other student, he cheers right up and resumes the happy go lucky act.A couple of times in lab in demonstrations he "joked" around with some chemicals and other stuff and pretended like he was going to drink it.Something about him worries me and makes me sad.I feel so sorry for him. He's about 55. A couple of other students have notice it too.He goes out of his way to help students.But my roommate had a teacher in high school who commited suicide mid year.He acted the same way, happy go lucky and noone saw it coming except for little signs that apparently everyone ignored.Maybe by my posting this I can keep it from happening from the sheer irony of it.Should I say something?Or should I just ignore it?
2006-09-29 17:13:25 · 6 answers · asked by madison j 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
If you really feel like he could hurt himself and you dont want to embarass him be approaching hiim, you could approach the dean or another authority figure at your school. You could also drop an anonymous note, email, or phone call to the deans office, expressing you concern, but you need to sound legit otherwise they may think its a prank. Just say what you said, that he seems so happy go lucky but you and other students have seen a darker side that seems depressed and lonely and youre afraid and you think he needs professional help.
2006-09-29 17:22:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could write a note and tell him that you're concerned and that you've noticed that he's down. Tell him just what you told us. He will be very touched. It's hard to say if that would make the difference, but it's worth a try.
You might say, "I hope you will look for professional help for what's troubling you, because we want you to be around here for years to come." He'll get what you mean.
Teachers are "just people", too, and while saving him isn't your responsibility, all of us adults ought to reach out when we see someone in need. We don't have to "do it all", but even a little bit can be a big help. A friend of mine had a job as a high power editor, and taught part-time. He said the cheerfulness of his college students helped him get through the self-doubt and hassles of the period of looking for a new job when the magazine he edited went out of business. I'm glad he told them so.
2006-09-30 00:17:21 · answer #2 · answered by catintrepid 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would talk to the Dean of Students or the Dean of Sciences (if there is one). You should let other people who have more resources handle this situation. As a student of a professor, you shoul dnot get involved directly.
2006-09-30 00:17:06 · answer #3 · answered by Your Best Fiend 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Say something to the principal. He can help and tell you if he's noticed it too. Call a hotline.
2006-09-30 00:21:24 · answer #4 · answered by emilyy:) 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He could just be going through hard times, you know, family or what not, that doesn't mean he is going suicidal.
2006-09-30 00:16:06 · answer #5 · answered by flauros2003 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hard to say. let me get my crystal ball...
2006-09-30 00:16:27 · answer #6 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋