Resources for Concerned Others

Call Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

• Available at 814-863-0395
  Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Call the 24/7 Penn State Crisis Line

The Penn State Crisis Line is available to all campuses, and can also be used for consultation if you are with or concerned about someone in crisis (caller must be in the U.S.).

• Available 24/7 at 1-877-229-6400
  Text "LIONS" to 741741

Go to the nearest emergency department

• Mount Nittany Medical Center
• Penn Highlands State College

Call the Penn State or Local Police

• Available 24/7 at 814-863-1111 or DIAL 911

The Red Folder initiative is a resource for faculty, staff, and others who interact with students. It offers guidance on how to recognize signs of distress, respond appropriately, and connect students with help.

• Access the Red Folder now
• Call the Penn State Crisis Line 24/7
  The Penn State Crisis Line is available to all campuses, and can also be used for consultation if you are with or concerned about someone in crisis (caller must be in the U.S.)
  • Available 24/7 at 1-877-229-6400
    Text "LIONS" to 741741

If you are experiencing a serious or urgent problem with psychiatric medication, contact your prescribing provider. For urgent issues or serious side effects, go directly to the nearest emergency department.

Faculty, staff, and other employees of Penn State who are experiencing mental health concerns can learn more about the Employee Assistant Program (EAP) via the Penn State Human Resources website. 

For employees in need of emergency mental health support 

• Call, text, or chat 988 (24/7 National Suicide Lifeline)
• Call, text, chat, or go to the Center for Community Resources
• Call 911  

If a significant incident impacts your community, CAPS provides group support and consultation. 

• Urgent response requests should go through CAPS at 814-863-0395
• Call the Penn State Crisis Line 24/7
  The Penn State Crisis Line is available to all campuses, and can also be used for consultation if you are with or concerned about someone in crisis (caller must be in the U.S.)
  • Available 24/7 at 1-877-229-6400
    Text "LIONS" to 741741

Behaviors to Notice

Common indicators are listed but students may also present with indicators not listed. 

• indicate concern about a person’s safety
• may occur in clusters or be an acute change that is noteworthy
• are ongoing and consistent
• result in significant impairment 

Safety Risk 

• Verbal, written, or implied references to suicide, homicide, assault or self-injurious behaviors
• Unprovoked anger or hostility/physical violence (e.g., shoving, grabbing, assaulting, use of weapon)
• Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, helplessness, isolation, rage, despair, violence, self-injury
• Stalking, closely tracking others, following others, or harassing behavior
• Communicating threats/disturbing comments via email, texting, phone call, or other correspondence 

Academic 

• Sudden decline in quality of work and grades
• Frequently missed classes and assignments
• Disturbing content in writing or presentations
• Classroom disruptions
• Consistently seeking personal rather than professional advice
• Multiple requests for extensions/special considerations (a change from prior functioning)
• Doesn’t respond to repeated requests for contact/meetings 

Physical 

• Marked changes in physical appearance (e.g., poor grooming/hygiene or sudden weight loss/gain)
• Strange or bizarre behavior indicating loss of contact with reality
• Visibly intoxicated or smelling of alcohol or marijuana
• Rapid speech or manic behavior
• Depressed or lethargic mood or functioning
• Observable signs of injury (e.g., facial bruising or cuts) 

Psychological 

• Self-disclosure of personal distress (e.g., abuse, assault, discrimination, legal difficulties)
• Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events
• Excessive tearfulness, panic reactions
• Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)
• Feeling socially disconnected or lack of belonging
• Expressions of concern about the student by peers 

Call Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

• Available at 814-863-0395
  Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Call the 24/7 Penn State Crisis Line

The Penn State Crisis Line is available to all campuses, and can also be used for consultation if you are with or concerned about someone in crisis (caller must be in the U.S.).

• Available 24/7 at 1-877-229-6400
  Text "LIONS" to 741741

Go to the nearest emergency department

• Mount Nittany Medical Center
• Penn Highlands State College

Call the Penn State or Local Police

• Available 24/7 at 814-863-1111 or DIAL 911

Visibly Providing Resources

Penn State communicates mental health resources to students in a variety of ways, including:

• All course syllabi are required to include information about mental health services at Penn State and the 24/7 Penn State Crisis Line.
• Employee and student id+ cards list national and local crisis resources and contact information:
  • Emergencies: Call 911
  • University Police & Public Safety: police.psu.edu/contact-us
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text LIONS to 741741
  • Penn State Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-877-229-6400

Providing Key Trainings

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) – an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches campus community members like yourself about mental health and substance use challenges.
• Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) – training in emergency response to someone experiencing a mental health crisis, such as suicidal thoughts or actions.
• The Red Folder – specific to helping Penn State students, this is a guide to help faculty, staff, student leaders, and others who interact with students learn to recognize, respond effectively to, and refer Penn State students experiencing varying types and levels distress.