What Constitutes a Crisis?

The following behaviors and/or circumstances should be considered urgent and warrant an immediate call for assistance from a counselor (sometimes Public Safety, as noted below):

• Person is so upset s/he can't explain what is wrong
• Person's behavior is bizarre or inappropriate to the situation
• Person has, or appears to have, a weapon (contact Public Safety; dial 7911)
• Person says s/he is planning suicide and has means to do it (weapon, drugs, etc.)
• Person says s/he is planning to harm another person
• Person stated that s/he has just been assaulted or sexually assaulted (contact Public Safety and/or counselor)
• Person has a child or pet toward whom s/he is behaving abusively or indifferently
• Person shows evidence of acute serious injury or illness (contact Public Safety)
• Person has been sexually harassed recently or in the past by a MHCC staff member (refer to Counselor or Human Resources)

You may encounter other situations that are tense, but they may not really be crises. What feels like an emergency to a distressed person, or to a staff member trying to help a distressed person, may not, in fact, be an emergency. A tearful person can be distressing, but crying is a normal expression of emotion. Nobody ever died of an emotion! It is the behavior or potential behavior that we must look at to determine how urgent a situation is.

In any emotional situation, the person in distress should be treated respectfully and kindly. Whenever possible, find them a quiet place to sit while they wait to speak with a counselor. It is very important that you remain calm; it does not help the distressed person if those around them are agitated by their behavior.

In the following order, please immediately refer student or connect to: