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We often get asked what information a member of staff should send to a student who may be at risk, to let the student know about emergency and crisis support.  As university counselling teams are not 24/7 or emergency services, it is vital all universities provide clear information on their website about how a student can access crisis support.  

 

Below is an example of the kind of information that works for these purposes, which higher education providers are welcome to use and adapt. It does not need to be a fancy webpage - something straightforward, providing some key details, focusing only on crisis/emergency support, is all that is required.

 

This information can usefully be tailored to include the details of local services, such as local hospitals with A&E departments.  However, remember your institution is likely to have distance learners, or students outside term-time, who require support in other parts of the country, so make sure that the information works well for these students too.

 

We recommend all universities publish information like this on a webpage with a memorable shortened URL/web address (for example, www.universityname.ac.uk/needhelpnow) to enable all staff to find it easily when they need to direct a student to it and to enable people to share it easily over the phone.

 

You may also 'cut and paste' this information and email it to an individual student who is distressed and who you want to know about relevant crisis/emergency services, should they ever need them in the future.  In our training sessions - particularly our Managing distressed students training course - we explore in more detail how to have these conversations with a student you are concerned about and how to feel confident differentiating different levels of student distress.

Sample text for university websites:

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If you are a student who needs help right now:

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Our university counselling & mental health support team is not an emergency service and not a 24/7 service. We offer appointments as quickly as we can to students who register with our team, but there is generally a waiting time to see us. 

 

If you are a student who is concerned that you are at imminent risk of harming yourself, you need to contact an emergency or crisis support service instead. 

 

Below are details of the main emergency and crisis support services. Unless it says otherwise below, these are open 24 hours a day, every day:

 

  • 999 – You can always telephone 999 in an emergency.
     

  • Hospital – You can make your way to any hospital which has an Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.  It might help to ask someone to accompany you. This webpage will help you find your nearest hospital.

 

  • Samaritans – You can telephone Samaritans on 116 123 or use their online chat service. If you need a response immediately, it's best to call on the phone, rather than using the online chat. This number is free to call, and you don’t have to be suicidal to call.  ​

 

 

  • Security – If you are on campus or on university premises, you can contact the University's Security team 24/7 on [insert phone number].  

 

​​Your accommodation or hall of residence – If you are in a hall of residence right now, you may also have been given details of how to contact a duty member of staff. ​

 

​You can also contact your GP/medical practice during its normal opening hours.  Contact the medical practice at which you are registered and ask for an urgent appointment.

 

Please do not forget the importance of talking to someone you trust. Let a family member or a friend know what's going on for you. At times when we feel most reluctant to draw on our support networks, this can be the time when it is most important to do just that.

 

Starting the conversation is what's important.

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