Mason Counseling and Psychological Services

Emergency Referrals

If a student expresses a direct threat to self or others or acts in a bizarre, highly irrational, or disruptive way, have someone stay with the student while you call the appropriate office:

University Police (24 hours) Transportation and protection
- Non -Emergency 703-993-4357
- Emergency 911
Dean of Student Services 703-993-2884
Consultation on student conduct
Counseling and Psychological Services 703-993-2380
Emergency consultation, evaluation and referral
Sexual Assault Services 703-993-4364
Emergency consultation for sexual assault

In a Non-Emergency

The following are some suggestions on how you could talk to your friend and make the situation more comfortable for you and your friend.

Discuss the issue privately and when you have the space and time to do so.
Be specific regarding the behaviors that have raised your concerns and avoid making generalizations, criticizing or judging.
Listen to your friend with undivided attention. Let your friend know that you understand them by repeating what they have said.
Don’t debate or argue with them about the right course of action, as this may prevent any honest communication.
Let your friend share their feelings and thoughts and try not to give immediate reassurance or try to fix it for them.

Example:

“ I acknowledge that you are troubled and worried about your situation. It seems like we have been discussing the same situation for a long time now. I would like for you to feel better and think that you may benefit from talking with someone who is trained and experienced in assisting people with similar concerns.”

Consultation with the CAPS

Let your friends know that many students seek counseling services for concerns from homesickness to deeper emotional issues, and the services are free and confidential.
Give them the Counseling and Psychological Services number (703-993-2380) and location (SUB 1, Rm 364).
Help them make the first call or accompany them to the first visit. If not an emergency, the first visit is usually within days of making the appointment. During the first visit, the student usually starts by completing information forms, which can be waived in an emergency. The counselor meeting with the student will assess their needs and consider ways in which the CAPS might be able to help.
Check with them later to see if they followed through with the referral.
Please remember that Counseling and Psychological Services cannot give you any information on your friend or any student seeking services, as all information is kept confidential. We are unable to share any content disclosed in the session, unless your friend gives us permission.
When you seek consultation at the Center for a friend, who is at significant risk to their safety, we might have to disclose your identity to them for purposes of bringing your friend into treatment. The safety of your friend is the biggest priority!

In an Emergency

If you believe that a situation is an emergency (e.g., threat to safety, high-risk cues), consider the following suggestions to seek timely help.

Stay calm
Contact the emergency numbers below.
Avoid making promises of confidentiality if your friend is at risk to self or others.
Take your friend’s threat/distress seriously.
Stay with them till help arrives.
Reassure them that the distress is temporary.

If you are unsure about whether the situation is an emergency or not, have someone stay with the student while you contact the numbers below to seek consultation.

How to Talk about Suicide

It can be frightening to listen to a friend or another student disclose their thoughts or plans about suicide.

Ask them directly if they have thought about suicide. This does not increase the risk. You may ask questions like:
- Have you had thoughts of suicide because you feel very bad/distressed?
- Do you have a plan of how you might do it?
- Do you have access to the means of committing suicide?
- Have you attempted suicide in the past?
- When you do you think you might do it?
Refrain from bargaining with them or keeping the information shared a secret. Their safety is most important.
Asking these questions can allow the person to talk about the problem, which can be relieving and make them feel like you understand their pain.
Seek consultation from a trained professional at the Counseling Center and contact the emergency numbers at the below.