Crisis Intervention
If you are working with a student that is having suicidal feelings; having difficulty controlling the urge to hurt themself or someone else; or know someone else who is having these feelings, seek help immediately:
925-424-1830, Student Health & Wellness Center, Room 1701 - Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays 9:00-5:00; Wednesdays 11:00-7:00
For emergencies or urgent needs outside the regular business hours of the Student Health and Wellness Center, the following agencies will connect you with someone who can evaluate your situation and provide help.
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY, CALL 911.
- Phone for local crisis resources:
- (800)491-9099
- (800)884-8119
- (866)225-5277
- (800)273-TALK
- NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 800-273-8255
Suicide Prevention
- NATIONAL HOPELINE NETWORK: 800-784-2433
Suicide Prevention
- CALIFORNIA YOUTH CRISIS LINE: 800-843-5200
A statewide, toll-free, 24-hour, confidential hotline for youth age 12-24 for information, support, and referrals to local resources.
Recognizing a Student in Need
You may be the first one to recognize when a student needs help, and can guide him or her to professional resources. The following examples of student’s appearance, behavior, and expressions of distress are cause for concern.
Unusual Appearance:
- Swollen or red eyes
- A change in personal hygiene or dress
- Dramatic weight loss or gain
Marked Behavior Changes:
- Poor performance and preparation
- Excessive absences or tardiness
- Repeated requests for special consideration, especially when accompanied by a change in attitude
- Unusual or changed pattern of interaction
- Avoids participation
- Dominates discussions
- Excessive anxiety when called upon
- Disruptive behavior
- Problems with roommates or family
- Exaggerated emotional responses that are inappropriate to the situation
- Depressed, lethargic mood
- Hyperactivity or very rapid speech
- Strange or bizarre behavior indicating a loss of contact with reality
Preventing Violence
Be concerned if you observe any of the following:
- Alcohol or drug intoxication
- Paranoia or agitation
- Impulsive behavior
- Recent acts of violence, including damage to property
- Verbal or physical threats
- Threatening actions or objects that may be used as weapons
What To Do
- Protect yourself—Be alert to the potential for violence. Know as much about the situation as possible before meeting the student. Survey the scene for immediate hazards. Resist dealing with the situation alone; enlist the help of others.
- Abstain from provoking violence—Approach the individual in a non-threatening way. Speak in a calm, reassuring manner. Never confront or threaten students who seem paranoid or aggressive. Refrain from touching the person if you can and avoid physically restraining anyone who is agitated. If you are attacked, use only enough force to contain the person.
- Be firm, but gentle—Let the student know that violence is not acceptable. It is often helpful to change the environment. Get the student to a calm, quiet place (away from environmental stimuli, such as noise, lights and people). Also try to avoid crowds or sources of anger.
Less Urgent Concerns
In a non-urgent situation, talk with the student about your observations and concerns. Such acknowledgment often encourages them to get help. Try the following approaches:
- Be direct, specific and nonjudgmental
- Spell out your specific concerns and ask how you can help
- Express concern (rather than shock, dismay, fear or anger, which may further upset the student)
- Listen carefully to understand his or her point of view
Making a Referral
Point out that help is available and encourage the student to go to: Student Health & Wellness Services -
Health & Safety, Building 1700 - Room 1701, 925-424-1830
Personal counseling is offered (under supervision of a licensed psychologist). Hours available each week, by appointment. If an immediate appointment is not available and the student is experiencing a personal crisis, s/he may be seen by a crisis counselor.
Community Mental Health Resources:
24 HR. CRISIS HOTLINE: (800)309-2131
211 Information & Referral Service - 211.org
Alameda County Access Program (510)346-1010
Alameda county mental_health
Community Low Cost Mental Health Providers:
SAUSAL CREEK OUTPATIENT STABILIZATION PROGRAM
- (510)437-2363
- Medication & Counseling - Sausal Creek Outpatient Stabilization Clinic provides services to any adult who feels that they cannot wait for routine mental health outpatient care.
- Sausal Creek
ANTHROPOS COUNSELING CENTER:
AXIS COMMUNITY HEALTH IN PLEASANTON:
HORIZONS FAMILY COUNSELING IN LIVERMORE:
PLEASANTON COMMUNITY COUNSELING CENTER: (925)600-9762
If the student agrees, you can facilitate this by arranging the appointment while the student is still with you. Emphasize that seeking help is a sign of strength and courage, not weakness or failure. In a similar vein, seeking professional help when you have problems with your car, health, or the law is a smart thing to do.
Follow Up
Arrange to meet with the student again. Your follow-up can solidify the student's resolve to get appropriate help. It also demonstrates your commitment to assist with the process. Ask the student if he or she kept the appointment with the counselor and how it went.
From the Vaden Health Center, Stanford University. Full Article
Kognito At-Risk for Faculty & Staff
We have adopted an interactive, online gatekeeper training simulation that will assist faculty and staff to better identify and refer students in distress to support services on campus. We highly recommend that you take this 45 minute course, which is already in use at over 400 colleges and universities.
To take the course, follow the instructions below:
General Mental Health Resources
The menu on the right will link you to information on specific mental health topics. -->
Below are additional links to excellent websites for mental health information:
- Go Ask Alice: Website operated by Columbia University to answer the questions of college students on issues related to physical health, mental health, and sexuality.
- Half Of Us: This engaging youth-oriented site uses video stories of students and high-profile artists to increase awareness about mental health issues and the importance of getting help.
- Healthyminds.org: This website of the American Psychiatric Association offers a broad array of information on topics related to mental health.
- Helpguide: Website operated by a non-profit organization offers information and resources on a broad range of mental health topics.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): An advocacy group for people living with mental illness and their loved ones. Good source of information and resources on mental health topics.
- ReachOut.com: An information and support service using evidence based principles and technology to help teens and young adults facing tough times and struggling with mental health issues.
- ULifeLine.org: An online resource for college students with information about protecting your emotional health and what to do if you or friends are struggling with mental health issues.
- Student Health 101