Mental Health Crisis Response Guide (Red Folder)

View and/or download a printable version of the Mental Health Crisis Response Guide here.

Our urgent/crisis services are available for those students who are experiencing a mental health crisis or have an urgent need to be seen by an available counselor.

For emergencies, always call 911.

To report an instance of sex based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or discrimination on the basis of a protected class, contact Equity and Title IX.

To learn more about non-mental health related emergency preparedness, visit go.mst.edu/eop to view the Emergency Guide Book created by the University Police Department.

The Mental Health Crisis Response Guide (aka the "Red Folder") is designed to help you look for concerns, signs of distress, and to respond appropriately and promptly. By knowing how to help and intervening, you can help maintain a healthy and safe campus for all. This webpage walks you through the signs of distress and crisis, how to respond to those signs, and where you can take the student for support. 

After responding to a concern, fill out a UCARE referral, which allows for further review into the concern and follow-up with the student to make sure they get access to needed care.

Learn more about UCARE and the process here.

FERPA Notice: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows faculty and staff to report student health and safety concerns to relevant campus offices. Taking appropriate action does not violate a student’s privacy rights.

Someone could be having a mental health crisis if they:

  • Tell you they plan to end their life
  • Talk about suicide threats
  • Cannot guarantee their own safety
  • Are at risk of suicide and under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Are at risk of suicide and emotionally distraught, very depressed, angry, or anxious
  • Are at risk of suicide and has access to means for suicide (pills, gun, etc.)
  • Begin putting affairs in order, like giving away possessions
  • Talk about the future without them in it, e.g. “I won’t be here by then.”
  • Have dramatic mood changes, including suddenly seeming to get better for no reason

Signs of mental health distress by category:

Academic:

  • Repeated absences
  • Decline in quality of work or classroom performance
  • Work that indicates disturbing content including
  • Frequent or unusual class disruptions

Physical:

  • Marked changes in appearance (deterioration in grooming, hygiene or weight loss/gain)
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Intoxication, hung over, or smelling of alcohol/cannabis/other substances
  • Appearing sick or ill
  • Repeated reports of headache or other physical concerns

Personal/Interpersonal:

  • Tearfulness
  • Expressions of hopelessness, worthlessness or shame
  • Exaggerated personality traits (more withdrawn, animated, or irritated than usual)
  • Direct comments about distress or difficulties
  • Concerns from classmates or peers

Indicators of High Risk/Crisis:

  • Implied or direct threats of harm to self or others
  • Self-injurious or destructive behavior
  • Seeming to lack self-preservation
  • Concerning phrases (“I won’t be around for that”)
  • Talk to the student in a private and safe location.
    • “Hi (student). I’ve noticed that you seem a bit more withdrawn in class and I wanted to check in to see if everything is okay.”
    • “I hope this doesn’t seem like overstepping, but I’ve noticed (specific signs) and am worried that you are struggling a bit more than usual. How are you?”
  • After starting the conversation, use the V-A-R method: Validate their concerns, Appreciate them opening up, and Refer to appropriate resources.
    • Validate: “I see where you are coming from, that sounds really difficult.”
    • Appreciate: “Thank you for telling me. I know it can be hard to open up.”
    • Refer: “There are resources on campus that can help you- let’s (walk to/call/look up) (resource) together.”
  • Other phrases to consider/adapt based on the situation:
    • “Thank you for telling me. I know that it’s difficult and took courage”
    • “There are resources on campus that can help you- let’s (walk to/call) (resource) together.”
    • “I care about you. Your life matters, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.”
    • “I am worried about you, so I am going to call (resource) and stay with you the whole time, okay?”
    • “Do you have lethal means on you right now?” (if yes, call 911)
  • Listen to their concerns without judgement or downplaying their concerns.
  • Suicidal threats should ALWAYS be taken seriously.

If time allows or just to be prepared, take Ask.Listen.Refer, a quick online suicide prevention training: asklistenrefer.org/missouri-university-of-science-and-technology 

All available 24/7:

  • Call the Missouri S&T Police at (573) 341-4300 or call 911
    • Immediate danger to life of self or others. Missouri S&T Police will consult with a licensed counselor or connect individuals to resources below.
  • Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741
    • Crisis Text Line is a global not-for-profit organization providing free crisis intervention via SMS message. The organization's services are available 24 hours a day every day, throughout the US by texting 741741 
  • Call or Text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988
    • Press 1 for Veterans
    • Press 2 for Spanish-Speaking
    • Press 3 for LGBTQ+ Affirming
    • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can also chat online at missouri988.org
  • Contact the Compass Health Crisis Access Point at 844-853-8937
    • Or visit 1450 East 10th Street, Rolla, MO 65402
    • Compass Health provides support for individuals in crisis every hour of every day. Their facility provides individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis a safe place to get their immediate basic needs met for up to 23 hours. This program provides immediate triage and stabilization, observation and ongoing care, showers, meals, clothing, medications (as needed), and a place to sleep.
  • Call the Compass Health Hotline at 888.237.4567
    • Staffed by mental health professionals who can respond to your crisis 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, they will talk with you about your crisis and help you determine what further help is needed - for example, a telephone conversation to provide understanding and support, a face-to-face intervention, an appointment the next day with a mental health professional, or perhaps an alternative service that best meets your needs. They may give you other resources or services within your community to provide you with ongoing care following your crisis. All calls are strictly confidential.
  • Call the Phelps Health Hospital Emergency Department at 573.458.7800 located at 1000 W. 10th St., Rolla, MO
  • RAINN - Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or chat on thehotline.org
  • Trevor Project- 24/7 Lifeline for LGBTQ+ concerns at 1-866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678

During:

  • Remain calm, but act quickly
  • DO NOT leave the person alone if you think their life is in danger
  • Trust your instincts that the person may be in trouble
  • Listen without judgment
  • Get immediate and appropriate help if you don't know what to do
  • DO NOT PROMISE SECRECY - there is no confidentiality in life-threatening situations

After:

  • If safe and possible, follow through with the person to ensure they are doing okay
  • Fill out a UCARE report so trained university staff can check in with the student on a regular basis and support them as needed
  • Take care of yourself and your own mental health
  • Well-Being Quick Reference Guide: this guide allows you to see campus services to refer a student to based on the type of concern they are having. It is more limited in recommendations as it is meant to be used quickly or when you have limited contact time with a student. 
  • Health and Well-Being Resource Directory: the directory features a large database of on-campus, off-campus, and online resources for students organized by topic area. This resource is much broader and meant more for a student to browse on their own or with someone else in a more casual manner. Due to it's size, it is not recommended for more urgent situations. 
  • Additional suicide prevention information and resources can be found here.