Emergency Crisis

Emergency Crisis Counseling: Helping Students in Distress

Need Immediate Help? 

  • During regular business hours reach CAPS at 313-593-5430
  • CAPS provides after hours phone services to students in need. To reach a licensed mental health clinician after 5pm, during weekends, or during an university closure, please call 313-593-5430 and press 2 when prompted.
  • 313-593-5333  Campus Police
  • 988  National Suicide Hotline
  • 734-721-0200  Psychiatric Intervention Center
  • 800-799-7233  National Domestic Violence Hotline

Students experiencing mild to moderate distress may show these signs:

  • Decline in grades
  • Decline in attendance
  • Unusual or changed pattern of interaction or behavior
  • Depressed or lethargic mood; very rapid speech; swollen red eyes; falling asleep in class
  • Unusual or exaggerated emotional response
  • Repeated requests for special consideration such as deadline extensions
  • Shows signs of injury to self
  • Increased drug or alcohol use

Students experiencing acute or severe distress may show these signs:

  • Highly disruptive behavior
  • Inability to communicate clearly (rambling garbled thoughts)
  • Loss of contact with reality
  • Stalking behaviors
  • Hostile communications (threats, etc.)
  • Suicidal thoughts and/or plans
  • Threats to harm others
  • Extreme suspiciousness/paranoia

Guidelines for talking with a student with any level of distress:

  • Accept and respect what is said
  • Avoid easy answers, such as, "Everything will be alright"
  • Share your concerns with your chair or dean
  • Do not swear secrecy or offer confidentiality to the person
  • Respect the student's value system, even if you don't agree
  • Seek appropriate resources when necessary i.e: Counseling, Tutoring, Dean of Students

If you are worried about the student's safety; but it is not an emergency situation (mild to moderate distress):

  • When called for, let the person know you are worried about their safety and describe the behavior or situation that is worrisome to you
  • If you are concerned the student may be feeling hopeless and thinking about ending their life, ask if she/he is contemplating suicide. It is important to remember that talking about suicide is a cry for help and is not to be ignored. Seek help from one of the resources listed.
  • Offer to be a resource until they can obtain professional counseling
  • After the student leaves your office, make some notes documenting your interactions
  • Consult with others regarding your experience
  • Complete a CARE report

How to handle an emergency situation (acute or severe distress):

  • Offer to contact CAPS for them
  • Remain calm and know whom to call for help, if necessary. Find someone to stay with the student while calls to appropriate resources are made
  • Remember that it is NOT your responsibility to provide the professional help needed for a severely troubled/disruptive student. You need only to make the necessary call and request assistance

 

 

Counseling and Psychological Services

2157 - James C. Renick University Center
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
View on Map
Phone: 313-593-5430
Fax: 313-593-3263