JMU students experiencing a mental health emergency (e.g., thoughts or plans to kill yourself, thoughts of seriously harming others, recent sexual assault) occurring Monday - Friday 8am-4:30pm, visit the Counseling Center (SSC, 3rd floor, Suite 3100) to speak with a clinician.

After regular business hours or on weekends: please call the Counseling Center at 540-568-6552 and press "1” to connect to the after-hours crisis line. 

There are additional 24 hour services listed below or you can always access services at Sentara RMH Medical Hospital (540-689-1414), 2010 Health Campus Drive, Harrisonburg, VA. 

Immediate Threat:
Off Campus: Call 911  |  On-Campus: 540-568-6911

Speak directly about your concerns and request that an officer do a welfare check to make sure the student is safe. Examples of immediate threats:

• They have a weapon.
• They have threatened or attempted to harm someone else.
• They are threatening to hurt themself.
• They have injured or hurt themself.
• They have taken too many pills.
• They are suicidal.
• They are intoxicated and/or high.
• They cannot commit to keeping themself safe.

Possible Threat

If student displays any warning signs, ask them privately, "Has it gotten so bad you are thinking of killing yourself?" If you have serious concerns that they are a threat to themself or others, CALL 911. If it is not clear that they are an immediate threat, they will need to be evaluated further:

• Police are trained to assess for safety and can provide this assessment on-site. The JMU Police Department is the on-campus option and the Harrisonburg Police Department is the off-campus option.
• The Psychiatric Emergency Response Services (PERS) clinicians at Sentara RMH hospital are trained to assess for safety. PERS clinicians can provide in-person crisis assessments through the Emergency Department at Sentara RMH. 2010 Health Campus Drive, 540-689-1414
• JMU students are eligible for emergency assessments. During our office hours, come to the 3rd floor of the Student Success Center, Suite 3100, or call 540-568-6552 and request a crisis intake. Be clear that there are safety concerns. You can walk over with them if you want to make sure they get there. After regular business hours or on weekends, please call the Counseling Center at 540-568-6552 and press "1” to connect to the after-hours crisis line. After hours, if a student lives off campus, additional local crisis support services are available through calling the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Community Services Board (540-434-1766).

Serious Concern

If the student displays warning signs and/or long-term concerns (self-injury, disordered eating, chronic depression, increased substance use, etc.) but clearly denies thoughts of harm:

• Refer them to Counseling Center Services. Depending on how concerned you are, offer to call the Counseling Center with them. There is no need to make an appointment. Go to Your First Visit page for information about how to get an initial assessment.
• Contact the Dean of Students about your concern (540-568-6468). The Dean of Students oversees the Madison Cares Team. They will review the information and decide whether to contact the student directly, and how best to follow-up regarding the concerns. Visit our "How to Help a Distressed Student" page for more information.

Unsure? Call the Counseling Center to consult with a clinician, 540-568-6552.