Emergencies

Although most of our work is done on an appointment basis, there are times when the need to consult a counselor is critical. 

An emergency or crisis situation is one which calls for immediate attention, and usually involves one of the following:

  • any immediate suicidal behavior or immediate harm to another person,
  • any direct or subtle indication of suicide, self harm, or harm to another person,
  • any bizarre behavior that is not as a result of substance abuse** such as...irrational talk, delusional talk, odd or frightening actions, behavior that is very out of ordinary for that particular person.

**Students who are impaired by substance abuse should be assisted by a member of the Student Life Staff (RA, RC, RD, AD)...or if that is not possible, the student should be transported
to the emergency room immediately.  Do Not ignore or protect someone who is impaired by alcohol or other drugs, the physical consequences could be fatal.

Emergency Contacts...

If the crisis is during workday hours (M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm), you may call the SRC office directly at 654-2547 be sure to indicate that you are making a crisis call

If the crisis is any other time, you may try to reach the Resident Assistant (RA) on call who will then contact the Resident Director (RD) or Assistant Director (AD) on call.... they have been trained on how to deal with psychological emergencies, please use this system

If that is not possible, or if you're not sure who to call, call our switchboard by dialing "0" or use one of the emergency phones around campus, the switchboard operator will contact someone to help you

If all of the above contacts do not work, or if you are off-campus and in immediate need, call a 24-hour community crisis resource:

Howard Center Crisis Service Hotline - 863-2400
Howard Center Alcohol Crisis Team - 658-1912
Women's Rape Crisis Center Hotline - 863-1236
Women Helping Battered Women Hotline - 658-1996

If you or a friend are in a crisis situation, please don't minimize or try to solve the problem yourself....call for help.

It is better to have someone mad at you than to have that person critically injured or dead.

Thank you for your help and compassion.