Crisis Support

Help When You Need It Most

Immediate support to help you feel safer and calmer, assess your needs, and guide you to the best follow-up care.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

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Crisis Support at CAPS

A mental health crisis occurs when intense emotional distress or behavioral instability puts someone at risk of hurting themselves or others or otherwise prevents them from caring for themselves. Whether you're a student seeking immediate support or are concerned about a student, we can help you figure out your next steps.

  • Students can access crisis support services by calling CAPS 24/7 or dropping in CAPS North or CAPS South during business hours.
  • Student supporters can call CAPS for a consultation or escort a student to CAPS during business hours.
 

When to Use CAPS Crisis Support

  • having serious thoughts of self-harm or suicide or aren’t sure how to keep yourself safe
  • having serious thoughts about harming or killing someone else
  • you've had a suicide attempt or release from a psychiatric hospital in the last month
  • having strange experiences, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others do not see or hear (hallucinations or other serious symptoms of psychosis)
  • being threatened, sexually or physically assaulted, or experiencing other violence in the past few weeks
  • not sleeping at all for three consecutive days
  • needing immediate help with resources for food or shelter
  • experiencing severe disorientation or confusion 

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these situations, do not hesitate to call CAPS 24/7 or drop in CAPS Main or CAPS North during business hours. 

What if I need to talk with a counselor urgently but don't fit one of the crisis support categories?

If you need help quickly but it’s not a crisis, you have several options. You can call us and we’ll help you set up an appointment or a brief phone consult with a counselor. We also offer wellness spaces at both of our locations where you can relax and take a moment for yourself. Counseling & Consultation sessions can be scheduled online through PatientLink. Appointments scheduled online are in high demand, so please call us if you're having a difficult time finding an appointment. We strive to schedule students as soon as possible. 

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What To Expect In Your Crisis Visit

During a crisis visit, your counselor's first goal is to help you feel calmer and safer. They’ll also talk with you to understand how you’re feeling, check on your safety, and find out what you need right now. 

Depending on your situation, they’ll help you come up with a plan to stay safe and suggest some steps to include in your Care Plan, like self-care tips, coping strategies, and recommended follow-up.

What Happens If I'm Thinking About Suicide?

If you're thinking about suicide, it's important to know that you're not alone and help is available. These thoughts can vary widely and are often a sign of how you're feeling. Because we care about your safety, we ask all students about suicidal thoughts and plans. If you're experiencing these thoughts, your counselor will talk with you to understand more and find the best way to keep you safe. Together, you might create a safety plan, identify key people or crisis resources to contact if needed, and discuss the best follow-up care for your situation. If you have serious plans or aren't sure you can stay safe, going to a hospital might be the best next step. Your counselor will explain the process and support you every step of the way, ensuring you’re not alone and that you get the help you need.

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What Happens After Your Crisis Visit?

After your crisis visit, there are many ways to continue getting support. Your safety is the most important thing to us. Based on what you need, your counselor might recommend following up at CAPS or visiting another mental health service in the next few days or weeks. 

Referrals: Your counselor will help connect you with other services included in your Care Plan. When the best plan is outside of CAPS or additional referral support would be helpful, your counselor can also request support from our care coordination team. Depending on the next steps in your Care Plan, your counselor or other CAPS providers will contact you by phone or through our secure message system in PatientLink.

Additional Crisis Support Services

There is hope. Whether you want to help yourself or someone else, you don't have to do it alone.

Call CAPS 24/7: 520-621-3334 

*After-hours crisis callers may speak with a Crisis and Access Specialist by pressing 1 when prompted by the automated message. 

Suicide & Crisis Lines

24/7 Community-Wide Crisis Support

Call (520) 622-6000
or 1 (866) 495-6735

Crisis Response Center: 2802 E District St. Tucson, AZ 85714 (south of Ajo Way and Country Club)

Crisis Resources & Hotlines     International Help Lines & Crisis Lines   Suicide Prevention