Crisis and Emergency

What is a psychological emergency?

Some examples of psychological emergencies include suicide attempts or threats, sexual assault, or any other trauma, dangerous, erratic or psychiatric behavior, volatile behavior in proximity to a weapon.

What should you do in a psychological emergency?

If you have concerns about immediate or impending violence towards self or others, contact University Police at (603) 536-1626 or dial 911.  In case of medical emergencies, obtain medical help immediately by calling 911 or University Police at (603) 535-2330.  If you have a medical emergency, you can also go directly to the Speare Hospital ER on Avery Street in Plymouth.

If you have questions about how to respond to a psychological emergency, please call us, the Plymouth State University Counseling Center, at (603) 535-2461 or call University Police.  We may intervene immediately in collaboration with other campus resources (e.g., University Police, Health Services, Residential Life), or we might set up an appointment with you to discuss the problem.

When the Plymouth State University Counseling Center is not open…

After Hours, Call

  •  For an on-campus emergency (needing immediate assistance), call University Police at 603-536-1626 or 911.
  • For an off-campus emergency, dial 911.
  • If you are in emotional crisis and are in New Hampshire (NH), you may call the NH Rapid Response/Lakes Region Mental Health Center at 988, 1-833-710-6477, or 1-603-524-1100 (option 9), dial 911, or go to Speare Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room.
  • If you are in emotional crisis and are NOT in NH, you may go to your local emergency room, call your local community mental health center, or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 and/or via text at HOME to 741741.
  • The following resources may also be helpful:
    • SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Hotline (1-800-985-5990) and/or via text (texting TalkWithUs to 66746).
    • Transgender Crisis Hotline: 1-877-656-8860
    • LGBTQ+ Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
    • People of Color Crisis Text Line Text “STEVE” to 741741
    • Veterans Help Line: 1-800-838-2838

How to help someone in a crisis

  • Speak privately to the student or friend, and out of earshot from other people.
  • Remain calm and nonjudgmental with your own thoughts.
  • Be sensitive to the individual but direct in your conversation. It is okay to ask the person if s/he has had thoughts of self-harm ( if you suspect this ). Such a question doesn’t necessarily trigger new ideas of self-harm, but may be a relief for the person to talk about the stress.
  • Acknowledge the importance of what the student is sharing with you. Most likely, there is a lot of pain that the student has kept inside.
  • Refer the student for help. Suggest that you will initiate the phone call to us, at (603) 535-2461,or walk with him/her to the Plymouth State University Counseling Center (across from Hyde Hall). Make a plan to do either of these that day.
  • Provide encouragement and check up with the person frequently. Caring friends are an important life-line during stressful times. Your concern for the individual is a valuable part of the process toward well-being.
  • Take care of yourself, as well. Helping a friend in crisis is stressful. Tend to your well-being and talk to a trusted individual about your anxieties or other feelings in this process.

For information on Coping with Grief/Loss and Warning Signs for Suicide

For more information on resources and support for sexual assault/harassment, please click the following link:

For more information or to make an appointment:

Call us at (603) 535-2461