A mental health crisis is a situation in which a person is attempting to kill themselves or is seriously contemplating or planning to do so. It is considered by public safety authorities, medical practice, and emergency services to be a medical emergency, requiring immediate suicide intervention and emergency medical treatment.

When is someone having a mental health crisis?

When someone does one of the following: 

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

What to do during a mental health crisis

Contact us or emergency services immediately.

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
Call Counseling Services at (573) 341-4211 or come to 204 Norwood Hall

After hours and weekends or holidays:

• Call the Missouri S&T Police at (573) 341-4300 or Call 911
  • Immediate danger to life of self or others. Missour S&T Police will consult with Counseling Services 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 the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255
  • 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
• Call the Compass Health Hotline at (800) 833-3915
  • 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) 458-8899 located at 1000 W. 12th St., Rolla, MO

• Download the free Sanvellomobile app with an @mst.edu email address
  • A mobile- and web-based application clinically validated to relieve mental health symptoms and promote healthy behaviors. Free download with mst.edu email address at the App Store, Google Play, or Sanvello webpage https://www.sanvello.com

•  Visit the S&T Miners Care Quick Referral Guide

While dealing with a mental health crisis:

• Remain calm but act quickly
• Trust your instincts that the person may be in trouble.
• Listen without judgement.
• DO NOT PROMISE SECRECY - There is no confidentiality in life-threatening situations.

AFTER MAKING CONTACT

Once you have made contact, either escort them to the Counseling Services office during business hours or call the campus police and they will come to you. Never leave an actively suicial person alone. Remain with the person until help arrives.

• Be honest if you plan to call someone for the suicidal person.
• Make the call in their presence if possible.
• Validate someone's feelings and let them know there is help.
• You do not need to have all the answers, you just have to get help for the person.