Mental Health Crisis Services and Procedures

A mental health crisis is an emotional or behavioral crisis that warrants same-day attention by a mental health professional. This may include, but is not limited to, significant changes in behavior that are not characteristic of a person, the presence of disruptive symptoms that interfere with the responsibilities of daily living, direct or indirect expressions of the intent to harm self or others, or the experience of a trauma.

During office hours, students may call the Counseling Center and ask to be scheduled for a crisis appointment. If no one is available or the Counseling Center is closed, the following guidelines apply:

If a student has attempted suicide, call 911 immediately for assistance.
If a student is in crisis and no one answers or is available at the Counseling Center, there are several options:
- Call Campus Security for help, who can then call 911 or the CUCC Director.
- Call 911 for assistance.
- Call the assessment coordinator at McFarland Hospital at (615-449-0500).
- Call the Crisis Intervention Center (615-244-7444).
- Call Wilson County Mobile Crisis (800-704-2651).
- Call Vanderbilt Respond (615-327-7000).

Regardless of what time of day or night a crisis occurs, if a student is actively suicidal and/or homicidal, 911 should be called immediately so the student can be transported immediately to the emergency room (University Medical Center) or to McFarland Hospital.