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Mental Health Emergencies

How to recognize mental health concerns and available campus resources. If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, help is available. You are not alone.
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If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs emergency support, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Suicidal/Self Harm Emergency Protocol

If you or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves, consider the following:

  1. Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
  2. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. All calls and texts route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center. 988 provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal or mental health-related crises.
  3. Ask a friend or family member to stay with you while you may be at risk.

If you are not sure if your situation is urgent, do an honest self-examination: If you (or someone you know) have thought about how, where, or when you would take your life or self-harm, or have recently attempted to take your life or self-harm, that is an immediate mental health crisis.

Some people having a mental health emergency don’t readily accept help, may not recognize that a problem exists, or understand the severity of the problem. Their symptoms might even cause them to become hostile or angry towards those trying to help them. If they are in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, you should still contact emergency services for them.

If someone you know is experiencing an immediate crisis, the most important thing you can do is to stay with the person in crisis until help is available. The presence of supportive friends and family is critical.

Recognizing Warning Signs

Learning how to recognize behaviors associated with severe anxiety, depression, and unchecked stress will help you know when to ask for help. Common signs include:

  • Feeling more anxious or worried than usual
  • Experiencing sudden emotional outbursts
  • An increase in agitation, anger, or any violence
  • Rapid, sudden, and intense changes in mood
  • Feeling depressed or unhappy
  • Struggling to fall asleep at night or get up in the morning
  • Noticing weight or appetite changes
  • Being quiet or withdrawn
  • Feeling guilty or worthless
  • Frequently bringing up suicide, depression, or severe anxiety in conversation and assignments
  • Sudden negative change in hygiene
  • Frequently skipping classes or work, or consistent tardiness
  • Sudden change in exam and assignment grades
  • Visible cuts and bruises
  • Suicidal ideation, such as thoughts or feelings about suicide
  • An inability to function in most daily tasks
  • Paranoia

While not all mental health crises have clear triggers, an upsetting or stressful event can trigger a crisis. Such events include:

  • Work or school-related stress due to demands or conflicts with others
  • A job loss or financial worries
  • An illness
  • Problems with/loss of loved ones or support network
  • A violent or traumatic event
  • Stopping treatment or medication for a mental condition
  • Upsetting news

If your depression or anxiety stems from sexual assault or misconduct, call the Title IX Office at (208) 496-9209.

Mental Health Emergency Resources

There are many resources available to help during immediate mental health emergencies.
Madison Memorial Hospital
(208) 359-6900
450 E. Main St, Rexburg, ID
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text 988
988lifeline.org
Behavioral Health Crisis Shelter
BYU-Idaho Counseling Center
525 S Center St
Rexburg, ID 83460
Tel: 208-496-9370
Counseling Center Website

Prioritize Your Mental Health

Helping someone through an immediate mental health crisis can be a traumatic and emotionally draining experience. Don’t neglect your own mental health in the aftermath. The following resources can help you heal and process this experience.

Additional Mental Health Resources

Dean of Students

The Dean of Students Office advocates for and assists students who have experienced unusual hardships in getting the help they need.

You can reach the Dean of Students Office by calling (208) 496-9200 or by visiting Kimball 290.

BYU-Idaho Counseling Center

During office hours (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday), you can call the Counseling Center (208) 496-9370 or come directly to their office in the BYU-Idaho Student Health Center. Everything you disclose to the Counseling Center is confidential.

  • During evening or weekend hours, call (208) 496-4357. There is a BYU-Idaho counselor on-call 24/7, ready to help students who are in need.