Crisis
Western Michigan University
Division of Student Affairs
Mental Health Crisis or Emergency Response Protocol
Western Michigan University has a strong commitment to assist its students and other members of the university community experiencing psychological distress. This document provides information and resources for students, faculty, staff, and administrators regarding the identification and response to individuals that exhibit acutely distressed, suicidal or homicidal behavior. The purpose of the protocol is to ensure a coordinated, timely and effective response should a mental health crisis occur.
What are Warning Signs of a Person in Mental Health Distress?
Often there are warning signs of someone in crisis or experiencing high level of distress. When possible, it is important to identify students who are severely distressed, suicidal (at risk of hurting oneself) or homicidal (at risk of hurting others) and refer him or her to a mental health or medical provider for assistance. There are many warning signs of psychological distress, and individuals may be at any point on a distress continuum that ranges from early warning stressors to suicidal or homicidal plans. Multiple warning signs and/or extreme behaviors suggest an immediate crisis and may require emergency intervention.
When do I Seek Help or Make a Referral?
Seek assistance if you notice a student displaying any (or combination) of the following warning signs, and if the behaviors or what you are observing appear:
- Unusual or Atypical for a person or the situation
- Extreme in number frequency and/or duration of distress signs
- Disruptive or Inappropriate to living or learning environments
- Intimidating or Frightening
- Depression
- Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness or worthlessness
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Significant appetite loss or gain
- Decreased interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
- Repeated themes of death in conversations or course work
- Significant loss (death of loved one, relationship break up, loss of status or prestige or physical impairment)
- Excessive alcohol or other drug abuse
- Previous suicide attempt
- Suicidal thoughts
- Articulates a wish to die
- Articulates a plan for suicide (with what means, when, where)
- Access to means for suicide (pills, knife/razor, weapon)
Additional information and resources regarding warning signs, risk factors, how to assess, intervene and respond to students at risk for suicide can be located at:
Suicide Prevention Program Website: www.uctc.wmich.edu/prevention
Signs of Imminent Psychotic or Homicidal Behaviors
- Marked inability to communicate clearly (abnormally garbled speech)
- Loss of reality (seeing or hearing things that are not present)
- Beliefs at great odds with or no base in reality
- Highly disruptive behaviors (hostile, aggressive, violent)
- Fascination with death or violence
- Suicidal thoughts or plans and/or means for suicide
- Threats or acts of violence or plan and/or means to harm self or others
General Signs of Distress
- Disheveled appearance or poor hygiene
- Dramatic or sudden weight loss or gain
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Fatigue, lack of energy or motivation
- Sadness or tearfulness
- Irritability, agitation or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Highly distracted or confused
- Impaired speech (incoherent, slurred, rapid, improper use of words)
- Disjointed thoughts
- Withdrawn or isolating behavior
- Bizarre behavior
- Inappropriate expression of anger
- Exaggerated or dramatic behaviors
- Apparent substance abuse (alcohol, cannabis, slurred speech, blood shot eyes)
- Increase in risk-taking behavior
- Talk of harm to self or others
- Inability to function
Signs of Academic Distress
- Excessive procrastination
- Negative change in performance
- Regularly falls asleep in class
- Repeated requests for special consideration
- Disruptive or inappropriate class behavior
- Repeatedly dominates class discussions even after this behavior is addressed
- Indicates or writes about problems as overwhelming or hopeless
- Repeatedly expresses themes of death in class work
- References to violence and suicidal acts
How do I Make a Referral or Encourage the Person to Seek Help?
If you have concerns about how to approach someone about seeking help, the following guidelines may be helpful:
- Be mindful of your role and appropriate boundaries when helping a student
- Ask to speak with the individual privately in a non-threatening environment
- Express care and concern about them and describe what you are observing in a non-judgmental manner
- Focus on the specific behaviors that you are observing; don’t try and diagnose or make interpretations
- Encourage the person’s cooperation in seeking and receiving help; don’t demand or use force
- Make suggestions for appropriate resources; remind them that counseling services on campus are free to students
- Offer to assist with contacting the resource but encourage the student to make the call
- When necessary, someone may accompany the student to a helper or provider
- When escorting someone to receive services, it is important to provide clear and specific information about the situation to the helper or provider
- If the student is in imminent danger to self or others and resists seeking help, immediately contact the Department of Public Safety at (269) 387-5555
Who do I Contact?
If you know that a student needs help, are uncertain or in doubt about whether a student needs help or if you need additional assistance to handle a student in distress or crisis, please contact one of the following resources for assistance, consultation or guidance:
Department of Public Safety (269) 387-5555
www.wmudps.wmich.edu
Ifa person is uncooperative, intimidating, threatening, and/or has a weapon or if someone has been physically attacked or harmed, contact campus Department of Public Safety at (269) 387-5555 for assistance.
University Counseling and Testing Center (269) 387-1850
2513 Faunce Student Services Building
www.uctc.wmich.edu
When a student is believed to be in psychological distress or crisis during regular office hours (8a.m. - 5p.m.), please refer the student to the University Counseling and Testing Center or contact the Center and/or request to speak with the Counselor on Duty (C.O.D.) or the designated counselor/psychologist for emergencies and crises assistance and consultations.
Sindecuse Health Center (269) 387-3290
www.wmich.edu/shc
If an individual is exhibiting distress, Sindecuse Health Center can provide immediate medical, psychiatric, psychological and social work support. Services are provided within a multi-disciplinary team approach during the following hours of operation: Mondays 8-6 (during the academic year and excluding posted Holiday hours); Tuesday 8-5; Wednesday 8-5; Thursday 8-5; and Friday 9-5.
Gryphon Place Help Line (269) 381- 4357 (HELP)
www.gryphon.org or Dial 211 from a Land Line
When immediate assistance is needed outside of regular office hours between 5p.m. – 8a.m., call Gryphon Place 24 Hour Help Line. Gryphon Place provides mental health crisis counseling and general referral information for human services resources 24 hours, 7 days a week. Emergency mental health assessments are conducted upon request. Services are confidential and free of charge.
Borgess Emergency and Trauma Center (269) 226-4815
1521 Gull Road
www.borgess.com
or
Bronson Trauma and Emergency Care (269) 341-6386
601 John Street
www.bronsonhospital.com
If there is a psychiatric, medical or physical health emergency or self harm or an injury of an individual has occurred, refer to or make arrangements for medical attention at Borgess Emergency and Trauma Center or Bronson Trauma and Emergency Care. Services are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. When necessary, call 911 (or Life EMS), a family member or friend to transport and/or accompany the student to hospital.
Residence Life (269) 387-4735
www.wmich.edu/housing
If you are concerned about the well-being of a residence hall or WMU Apartment student, please notify the Director of Residence Life at (269) 387-4735. Residence Life staff will follow up with the student and ensure appropriate referrals and support are in place.
Associate Dean of Students (269) 387-2150
www.vpsa.wmich.edu/associatedean.html
The Associate Dean of Students actively works with many people across campus when it becomes apparent to anyone that a student is experiencing behavioral, psychological, physical or other serious problems. If you should have concerns about a student, please contact Suzie Nagel, Associate Dean of Students. She can be reached at (269) 387-2150 or suzie.nagel@wmich.edu.
What should I do when a member of the faculty, staff or administration show signs of distress?
If you notice similar warning signs of distress in a faculty, staff or administrator in the campus community follow similar steps for making a referral or seeking assistance as outlined above for students. Also, Sindecuse Health Center is available to provide immediate services and treatment to a non-student member or visitor of the university community, and will assist in transitioning this individual to the appropriate provider.
Additional Mental Health Resources
Other university and community services are available to assist distressed students or faculty, staff or administrators in need of mental health services. Below is contact information for some of the commonly utilized resources, as well as a list of behaviors and circumstances to help determine the appropriate referral. The University Counseling and Testing Center can provide further referral resources as needed.
On Campus
Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (269) 387-5105
3109 Sangren Hall, Main Campus
or
Graduate Center, Downtown Grand Rapids (616) 771-4171
www.wmich.edu/coe/cecp/ccps
Graduate student trainees provide confidential counseling services free of charge to students and on a sliding fee scale to members of the Southwest Michigan community with limited ability to pay.
Psychology Clinic (269) 387-8302
Unified Clinics
1000 Oakland Drive
www.wmich.edu/psychology/resources
Graduates students in the WMU Clinical Psychology program provide individual, couple, and family counseling services for a nominal fee. Current charges are $20 per session.
University Substance Abuse Clinic (269) 387-8230
Unified Clinics
1000 Oakland Drive
www.wmich.edu/hhs/unifiedclinics/usac
Services are provided by licensed counselors in affiliation with the WMU Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Anyone who is mandated by the court for an assessment, treatment or experiencing problems with alcohol or other substances and/or has a chemical dependency is eligible for services.
In the Community
Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services - Access Center (269) 373-6000
418 W. Kalamazoo Ave.
http://www.kazoocmh.org/
Provides 24 hour emergency services and information about community resources to members of Kalamazoo County. The Access Center works directly with individuals, families and children during times of crisis or need. Fees are based on a sliding fee scale but no one is denied services due to inability to pay.
Kalamazoo YWCA
Sexual and Domestic Assault Programs (269) 345-3036
353 East Michigan Ave.
www.ywcakalamazoo.org
Provides a 24-hour help line for crisis assistance, follow-up support and resources and counseling for victims of sexual or domestic assault. Services are confidential and offered at no cost.
HelpNet (269) 372-4500
5340 Holiday Terrace
www.wmich.edu/hr/eap
Employee assistance program that provides free and confidential assessments, brief counseling, and referral services to University employees and their household members who are concerned about marital and family issues, addictions, emotional problems, relationships, work performance, and other significant personal problems. HelpNet also offers a crisis line available 24 hours a day, everyday, at (800) 385-3587.
