Protocol for Mental Health Concerns
Mental Health Emergency
A mental health emergency is a life-threatening situation in which an individual is imminently threatening harm to self or others, is severely disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a severe inability to function, or is otherwise distraught and out of control.
Examples of an emergency could include:
- Acting on a suicide threat
- Homicidal or threatening behavior
- Self-injury needing immediate medical attention
- Severe impairment by drugs or alcohol
- Highly erratic or unusual behavior that indicates very unpredictable behavior
What to do
- If you determine that the situation is an emergency CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis is a non-life threatening situation in which an individual is exhibiting extreme emotional disturbance or behavioral distress, considering harm to self or others, is disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a compromised ability to function, or is otherwise agitated and unable to be calmed.If the situation is not an emergency but you do notice any of the following:
- Talking about suicide threats
- Talking about threatening behavior
- Self-injury, not needing immediate medical attention
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Erratic or unusual behavior
- Eating disorders
- Talking about not taking prescribed psychiatric medications
- Emotionally distraught, very depressed, angry or anxious
What to do
- Call the campus Counseling Center: Anita Mashburn (Director) (910) 695-3968
Hours: M-Th 8-12 and 1-5, Fri 8-12, Rosa McAllister-McRae (Counselor) (910) 246-4944 - In the event that neither of the counselors is available you may contact:
- The switchboard staff person on duty who will contact someone trained in MHFA to assist you (Pinehurst: 910-692-6185; Hoke Center: 910-875-8559.
- Your supervisor/department chair
- Campus police/security 910-690-2762
Always
- Stay with the individual in crisis until help arrives.
- Always put safety first and err on the side of caution.
*Adapted from the Everett Community College Website
** Subject to change as campus MHFA training proceeds