In crisis yourself? Go to When You're in Crisis for people you can reach right now. This page is for staff responding to someone else.
Is This an Emergency?
YES - Immediate Danger
Student mentions:
- Suicide plan or intent
- Violence toward others
- Currently unsafe situation
- Psychotic break with risk
ACTION:
- Call 988 or provide crisis resources immediately
- Do not attempt intervention alone
- Notify admin IMMEDIATELY
- Document everything
- If imminent danger and they won't call: consider calling 911 (use judgment)
- Follow up: make sure someone checks back in with the student once things are calmer, and document it
MAYBE - Crisis But Not Immediate
Student showing:
- Emotional overwhelm
- Paranoia/delusions (but not acting dangerously)
- Manic behavior
- Major life crisis
ACTION:
- Use grounding language: "Are you safe right now?"
- Provide crisis resources (988, Crisis Text Line)
- Do not provide therapy
- Escalate to admin
- Document
- Follow up: "Have you contacted support?"
NO - Challenging But Not Crisis
Student:
- Boundary pushing
- Emotional dysregulation (upset but not unsafe)
- Difficult behavior
- Conflict with peers
ACTION:
- Set clear boundary
- Document if it's a pattern
- Redirect to appropriate resources
- Escalate if it continues
- Self-care check: How are YOU doing?
Quick Decision Tree
Is someone in immediate danger?
├─ YES → Call 988, notify admin, document
└─ NO ↓
Is this a mental health crisis?
├─ YES → Provide crisis resources, escalate to admin
└─ NO ↓
Is this a boundary violation?
├─ FIRST TIME → Set boundary clearly, document
└─ REPEATED → Escalate to admin, consider consequences
Is this neurodivergent communication?
├─ YES → Clarify expectations, accommodate when possible
└─ Unclear → Consult with peers/admin
When in Doubt: Escalate
Better to over-respond than to miss a crisis.
Admin contact: email [email protected] with URGENT in the subject so the team knows it's happening. It isn't monitored around the clock.