Crisis Support

Important Note

E-mail should never be used to request crisis support. Please consider using one of the following support options.

Campus Crisis Services

Psychological Emergency Services

Psychological emergency services are available 24/7 throughout the year to current WWU students through the Counseling and Wellness Center by calling 360-650-3164.

Crisis Appointments

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

To speak with the first available counselor, please contact the Counseling and Wellness Center at 360-650-3164.

After-Hours Emergency Services

When the Counseling and Wellness Center is closed, there are several ways to contact someone if you or a fellow student is having a psychological emergency.

If you live in a residence hall:

  • First, talk to your RA or RD.
  • If your RA or RD is not available, call the Counseling and Wellness Center at 360-650-3164 and choose option 1 to reach the on-call counselor.
  • If the situation is more urgent, call 911 or go to the Emergency Room at St. Joseph's Hospital.

If you live off campus:

  • To reach the after-hours on-call counselor in the Counseling and Wellness Center, dial 360-650-3164 and choose option 1.
  • If the situation is more urgent, call 911 or go to the Emergency Room at St. Joseph's Hospital.

National Crisis Resources

Am I in a Crisis?

Crisis

Definition

  1. Thoughts of killing yourself or someone else 
  2. Being recently physically or sexually assaulted, or experiencing another recent traumatic event 
  3. Hearing voices or otherwise misperceiving reality 
  4. Feeling extremely anxious or panicked and unable to self-soothe 
  5. Recent loss (e.g. death) with immediate concerns 
  6. Inability to provide for your own food, clothing, or shelter  

Steps to Take

If it’s Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm: 

  1. Come to or call the Counseling & Wellness Center (CWC) 
  2. Tell the front desk you are having a “mental health crisis” 
  3. Answer questions the front desk will ask to gather information  
  4. Fill out paperwork if you are asked to 
  5. The front desk will schedule you for the first available appointment for that day 

If it’s any other time (e.g. evenings, weekends, holidays): 

  1. Call Counseling & Wellness Center and press 1 (360-650-3164) or text 988 
  2. Tell them you are having a “mental health crisis”  
  3. 14 Follow their instructions 

Waiting Strategies

  1. Read a book or magazine 
  2. Play a game on your phone 
  3. Listen to music 
  4. Take deep breaths 
  5. Use a relaxation or coping skills app 

High Distress

Definition

  1. High stress or anxiety 
  2. Feeling overwhelmed 
  3. Feeling sad or crying 
  4. Experiencing an unexpected change 
  5. Relationship problem 

Steps to Take

If you have a therapist: 

  1. Contact your therapist  
  2. Wait for your therapist to respond 

If you don’t have a therapist: 

  1. Come to the CWC 
  2. Ask the front desk for a phone consultation appointment for today or the next business day  
  3. If the CWC is closed, wait until the next business day 
  4. You can call CWC and press 1 (360-650-3164) to be connected to Protocall (on-call counselors)  

Waiting Strategies

  1. Take a walk, stretch 
  2. Call or text a family member or friend 
  3. Call 988 or text the word START to 741-741 for 24/7 professional support 
  4. Use resources on campus (e.g. academic advisor, Resident Advisor/Resident Director) 
  5. Take deep breaths 
  6. Use relaxation or coping skills app  
  7. Do something you enjoy 
  8. Listen to music 
  9. Watch a TV show or video you like