Students who are experiencing a psychological or emotional crisis often need immediate help and intervention. Some example of serious crises include:
- suicidal or homicidal thoughts or impulses
- sexual or physical assault
- hearing voices otherwise misperceiving reality
- overwhelming loss, such as death in the family
Listed below are services available in crisis situations.
- WSU Counseling and Psychological Services (316-978- 4792) --CAPS provides crisis intervention services from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call or come to the Student Wellness Center and make it clear that you are in a crisis. Every effort will be made to respond as soon as possible. If you are in ongoing treatment at CAPS, you may ask to speak with your regular counselor or another counselor will assist you if your regular counselor is not available.
- COMCARE of Sedgwick County Crisis Line (316-660- 7500) -- This is a 24-hour crisis hotline available to all residents of Wichita and surrounding areas. Trained counselors staff the hotline and will help you manage a crisis situation.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline -- 988 is free and confidential to call, available 24/7 to people located in the United States. They provide support and resources for those in distress.
Crisis Services for Wichita State University Students
If you are afraid that you will not be able to avoid hurting yourself or someone else,
get help immediately.
- Call 911 or call the University Police at 316-978-3450
- Go to the Via Christi- St. Joseph Emergency Room located at 3600 E Harry, Wichita Kansas
IMMEDIATELY CONTACT 911 FOR URGENT ASSISTANCE if there is imminent danger of the person hurting him/ herself. The local police can do a safety check and can help bring the person to an emergency room for further evaluation and safety.
- Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide
- Don't try to minimize the situation by telling the person how well of he/she is compared to others
- Don't minimize the importance of the person's feelings Don't argue with the person
- Don't be judgmental
- Don't be sworn to secrecy
- Don't leave the person alone
- Try to make certain the the person does not have access to any harmful objects or substances
- If the person is not in immediate danger of hurting him or herself, help the person arrange to be seen by a counselor at the local mental health center, or if a WSU student, call Counseling and Psychological Services at 316-978-4792 during normal business hours.
- Don't deal with the suicidal person alone. Seek support by calling a national hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800- 784-2433), checking your local resources at Suicide Hotlines or contacting the local COMCARE of Sedgwick County Crisis Line at 316-660-7500
