Crisis Support
Important Note
E-mail should never be used to request crisis support. Please consider using one of the following support options.
Psychological Emergency Services
Emergency services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, throughout the year to current WWU students 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 we are 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 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, 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.
Additional crisis resources:
- Community Crisis Line, 1-800-584-3578
- Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741
- Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services (DVSAS) of Whatcom County, 1-877-715-1563
- 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 988
- Trevor Project: Preventing Suicide Among LGBTQ+ Youth, 1-866-488-7386
- Trans Lifeline, 1-877-565-8860
- Veterans Crisis Line, 988, Press 1 or text 838255
- Native and Strong Lifeline, 988, Press 4
Crisis
Definition
- Thoughts of killing yourself or someone else
- Being recently physically or sexually assaulted, or experiencing another recent traumatic event
- Hearing voices or otherwise misperceiving reality
- Feeling extremely anxious or panicked and unable to self-soothe
- Recent loss (e.g. death) with immediate concerns
- Inability to provide for your own food, clothing, or shelter
Steps to Take
If it’s Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm:
- Come to or call the Counseling & Wellness Center (CWC)
- Tell the front desk you are having a “mental health crisis”
- Answer questions the front desk will ask to gather information
- Fill out paperwork if you are asked to
- 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):
- Call Counseling & Wellness Center and press 1 (360-650-3164) or text 988
- Tell them you are having a “mental health crisis”
- 14 Follow their instructions
Waiting Strategies
- Read a book or magazine
- Play a game on your phone
- Listen to music
- Take deep breaths
- Use a relaxation or coping skills app
High Distress
Definition
- High stress or anxiety
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling sad or crying
- Experiencing an unexpected change
- Relationship problem
Steps to Take
If you have a therapist:
- Contact your therapist
- Wait for your therapist to respond
If you don’t have a therapist:
- Come to the CWC
- Ask the front desk for a phone consultation appointment for today or the next business day
- If the CWC is closed, wait until the next business day
- You can call CWC and press 1 (360-650-3164) to be connected to Protocall (on-call counselors)
Waiting Strategies
- Take a walk, stretch
- Call or text a family member or friend
- Call 988 or text the word START to 741-741 for 24/7 professional support
- Use resources on campus (e.g. academic advisor, Resident Advisor/Resident Director)
- Take deep breaths
- Use relaxation or coping skills app
- Do something you enjoy
- Listen to music
- Watch a TV show or video you like