Mental Health Emergency

In the event of a mental health emergency, constituting an immediate threat to self or others, call 911.

In nonemergency situations, refer students to the Counseling and Consultation Services Center, 815-753-1206; refer faculty and staff to the Employee Assistance Program, 815-753-9191. If appropriate, walk the student over to the Counseling Center located in the Campus Life Building at 545 Lucinda Avenue or the faculty/ staff member to the Employee Assistance Program located on the seventh floor of the Holmes Student Center at 600 Lucinda Avenue.

• Express your concerns directly to the individual.
• Make referral in the presence of the individual and offer to accompany them.
• Watch for changes in behavior:
  • Significant changes in academic or work performance.
  • Changes in hygiene, speech, attentiveness or social interaction.
  • Changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
  • Excessive drinking or drug use.
  • Severe loss of emotional control.
  • High levels of irritability.
  • Impaired speech or garbled/disjointed thoughts.
  • Excessively morbid, violent or depressing themes in written assignments.
  • Expression of suicidal or violent thoughts.

Concerns for a student's emotional well-being should be reported to the NIU Counseling and Consultation Services Center regardless of whether the student wishes to seek services. A Student of Concern Report should also be submitted via Maxient. Staff at the Counseling Center are available during regular business hours to consult with you on how to best handle a situation with a student. Concerns for the emotional well-being of a staff or employee should be reported to the Employee Assistance Program. Call 911 immediately to report any violence or threat of violence.