Mental Health Crises
Anyone can experience stress associated with academic demands, family problems, social relations, work, finances and cultural experiences. The inability to cope with emotional distress can lead to disruptions in overall functioning.
Student counseling services
Students can seek help from Redfern Health Center's Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). Appointments can be scheduled by phone or in person. To schedule an appointment for individual counseling, call 656-2451 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Emergency services are available on a 24-hour basis. During normal office hours you can call CAPS directly at 656-2451. After hours and on weekends you can call Clemson University Public Safety at 656-2222 and ask to speak with the CAPS on-call counselor. The dispatcher will take your first name and phone number and have the on-call counselor call you back.
Handling a crisis
Sometimes a person's usual coping skills are overwhelmed. The signs can include:
- Highly disruptive or aggressive behavior.
- Overt suicidal threats (written or verbal).
- Homicidal threats (written, verbal or a history of violence).
- Inability to communicate (incoherent, garbled or slurred).
- Loss of contact with reality.
If you have concerns that someone is experiencing such a crisis, call 911 to request assistance.
While waiting for aid to arrive (if you perceive no threat to yourself or others), you should:
- Provide a safe, secure, quiet environment.
- Invite the person to stay until help arrives.
- Listen actively and show empathy.
- Maintain a straightforward, supportive attitude.
- Don't leave the person alone unless you feel threatened.
- Don't try to restrain the person if he or she wants to leave.
- Don 't challenge or shock the person.
- Don't minimize the person's distress.
