Texas Tech University

 

Crisis Intervention Services

If you are a student in immediate crisis and one of the following applies to you

  • You feel you are in immediate danger of harming yourself
  • You feel you are in immediate danger of harming someone else
  • You have recently been assaulted or had a traumatic experience

Please do one of the following:

  • Call 911 – you will be connected with the police who can help you get emergency services
  • Call the Texas Tech Crisis HelpLine 806-742-5555. This is a 24-hour service to assist students experiencing a mental health or interpersonal violence crisis.
  • During regular business hours (M-F 8:00-5:00), the Student Counseling Center has therapists available to speak with you for a crisis appointment.  Students are encouraged to walk-in to the SCC for crisis services, no appointment needed.

Concerned Students, Faculty/Staff, and Parents

There are a variety of behaviors that may indicate that a student is in distress. These behaviors include:

  • Avoidance of classroom participation
  • Domination of discussions
  • Excessive anxiety when called upon
  • Exaggerated emotional responses inappropriate to the situation
  • Sudden changes in classroom behavior (attendance, grades, or attention changes)
  • Depressed or lethargic mood
  • Hyperactivity or very rapid speech
  • Unexplained crying, irritability or angry outbursts
  • Changes in personal hygiene or dress
  • Dramatic weight loss or gain
  • Strange or bizarre behavior indicating loss of contact with reality
  • Expression of thoughts of helplessness or hopelessness
  • Overt references to suicidal and homicidal threats

How Can You Help?:
 

Be aware that there is no “perfect formula” for interacting with a distressed student. It is very important to know your personal limits as a helper. It is also important to be mindful that there are times when effectively listening, offering encouragement, and empathizing with the student can help the student feel cared about as an individual and more confident in his or her ability to make decisions during stressful times.

Here are some suggestions that might assist you when interacting with a distressed student:

  • Approach the student respectfully and ask to speak in private when both of you have the time.
  • Give the student your undivided attention.
  • Listen to the student's thoughts and feelings in a sensitive, non-threatening way.
  • If you have initiated contact with the student, express your concern in behavioral, non-judgmental terms (For example, “I've noticed you've been absent from class lately, and I'm concerned.”)
  • Communicate that you understand the student by repeating back the essence of what the student has told you. Try to include both content and feelings (For example, “It sounds like you're not accustomed to such a big campus, and you're feeling left out of things.”)
  • Behavior that is strange or inappropriate should not be ignored. Comment directly about what you have observed.
  • Do not discuss your concerns with other students.

When Should You Refer to the SCC?
 

Circumstances that may indicate that a referral is necessary may include the following:

  • The problem is more serious than you feel comfortable handling.
  • You have helped as much as you can and further assistance is needed.
  • You think your personal feelings about the student will interfere with your objectivity.
  • The student admits that there is a problem but does not want to talk to you about it.
  • The student asks for information or assistance that you are unable to provide.

How Do You Make a Referral to the SCC?
 

When faculty or staff members decide to refer a student to the SCC, we recommend the following:

  • Speak to the student in a direct, straightforward manner in which concern for the student's welfare is demonstrated.
  • Be clear that this referral is based on observations of the student's behaviors.
  • Students should make their own appointments, if possible. However, you can assist this process by walking the student over to the SCC during our regular business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm).  


Immediate Care

It is important to remember to take all suicidal/homicidal expressions seriously!! An SCC crisis therapist is available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After-hours concerns should be directed to Campus Police (806-742-3931) or to the Texas Tech Crisis HelpLine (806-742-5555).

If the Student is not willing to accept a referral to the SCC, you can fill out a Student of Concern Report through the Dean of Students or click here
Confidentiality of Services:

Please remember that all SCC contacts with students are confidential. Information about SCC contact with students cannot be released except under specific circumstances. Texas Tech University Student Counseling Center strictly adheres to this policy, which is in accordance with Texas state law.

If you are wondering about the student's follow-through with the referral, we recommend that you contact the student directly.

You are welcome to share information regarding a student with SCC staff. However, SCC staff must abide by the above guidelines and will not be able to respond without the student's consent.

 
Reviewed 5/1/23


 

 

Student Counseling Center