Psychological Crisis / Suicide Attempt / or Threat

In an Emergency

  • Call the Office of Public Safety at (212) 772-4444.
  • Provide your name, location, telephone number. 
  • Explain the situation in detail. 
  • Note method or means, weapon, drugs, etc., for responders. 
  • Attempt to calm suicidal person, if safe to do so. 
  • Try to not leave the suicidal person alone. 
  • If you cannot leave the person unattended, send someone else to make the notification.
  • If the person is armed, describe the weapon.

Helping a Suicidal Person

  • Listen. Offer help and resources; trust your instincts. 
  • Take all suicidal comments very seriously. Assuming that the person is only seeking attention is a very serious, and potentially disastrous error. 
  • If you believe that a student, employee or visitor is suicidal, immediately report the matter to the Office of Public Safety and/or an available college mental health professional.
  • Do your best to make the person feel safe and/or keep them safe until trained personnel have been notified and/or have arrived.
  • Try not to act shocked. The person is already highly distressed, and if you are shocked by what is said, the person will become more distressed. Continue to talk to them as long as there is no imminent threat to yourself, but get help immediately. 
  • Keep your own safety in mind. A student may not intend to harm you, but it can happen due to their emotional distress.
  • Keep the telephone number to the College Counseling Department readily available.
  • In the emergency is after 5 pm, call the Office of Public Safety: 212-772-4444.