Information for RAs and Res Hall Staff
Referring Directly to CAPS from the Department of Residence Life
Resident Directors, Hall Directors, Complex Directors, and Area Coordinators can directly refer a student to the counseling services at CAPS by first calling (517) 355-8270 or directly walking the student to the CAPS office at Olin Health Center during regular business hours. If after hours please either call the liaison phone number, provided to you, or call 9-1-1.
What Should I Do if a Student is in Distress and CAPS is Closed?
If a student is in distress, and it is after hours, it may be helpful for you, the residence hall staff member, to talk with the student and determine whether the student can wait for help (functional or chronic – lower risk) or whether immediate attention is required (critical – higher risk). Remember, it is always good practice to consult with other residence hall staff when in doubt. In all cases, residence hall mentors/community coordinators/community peers should always follow the Mental Health Response Protocol you were trained to use as well as your QPR Training. For critical non-emergency cases, contact the ADH or Unit Director on duty. They will have access to a counseling staff member after hours. For critical/emergency cases, call 9-1-1 and then contact the AHD or Unit Director on Duty.
Risk can be tricky to determine, and again, it is very important to consult with other staff when you are faced with these types of decisions. Do not make these types of decisions alone.
In general, risk is commonly determined by whether the student is:
- In danger of harming oneself or someone else, OR
- Showing signs of losing touch with reality (bizarre behavior, hallucinations, extreme paranoia).
Often, risk can be even more difficult to determine when alcohol or other substances are involved. However, the rule “it is better to be safe than sorry” applies here, and once again it is important that you seek consultation with other staff. Remember that alcohol or drug intoxication also carries risks with regard to impulsive behavior, poor decision-making, and mood swings, and therefore it is important to not simply assume that a student will simply “sleep it off.” If you feel that the student’s (or your) safety is at risk, it is important that you call for help immediately. Here are three phone numbers you may need to use:
- Dial 9-1-1
- Ingham County Emergency Services: (517) 351-2590
- MSU Department of Police and Public Safety: (517) 355-2221
If you feel that the student’s safety is not at immediate risk (i.e., the student does not intend to commit suicide or homicide in the immediate future), it may be helpful for you to suggest that the student call CAPS when it opens at 8 a.m. the next morning (or the next business day) and schedule an appointment. When the student calls CAPS the next morning, they will have contact with a counselor then or within a few hours.
The CAPS Liaisons welcome calls or emails from Resident Directors, Hall Directors, Complex Directors and Area Coordinators who wish to consult about their residents’ mental health concerns. We ask that mentors follow the Mental Health Response Protocol and consult with their assistant hall directors and complex director first. CAPS is happy to assist any Residence Hall staff member who feels the need to debrief after an especially difficult experience.
I’ve Referred One of My Residents to the Counseling Services at CAPS. How Will I Know If They Went to Their Counseling Appointment?
If the resident that you referred has signed an Authorization Form, we are permitted to let you know information pertaining to that specific resident. However, if the resident decides not to sign an Authorization Form, because of confidentiality, you will not be allowed to gain any information regarding that resident.