Emergency Crisis

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