crisis services

The Wilson Counseling Center is available to respond to crises and critical incidents affecting A-State students.

A mental health crisis is a non-life threatening situation in which a student is exhibiting extreme emotional disturbance or behavioral distress, considering harm to self or others, disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a compromised ability to function, or is otherwise agitated and unable to be calmed.

Examples of a Mental Health Crisis include:

• When students are thinking about harming themselves or others,
• When students feel unable to function,
• When students are seriously concerned about other students welfare or safety, or
• When students have experienced a traumatic event.
• When students are talking about threatening behavior
• When students exhibit self-injury, but not needing immediate medical attention
• When students abuse alcohol or other substances
• When students exhibit highly erratic or unusual behavior
• When students are emotionally distraught, very depressed, angry or anxious

Suggestions for What to Do in Case of a Mental Health Crisis

When the Counseling Center is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday

• During office hours come to the Counseling Center and notify the Administrative Assistant that you are experiencing a crisis.
• If you, or a person you are concerned for, cannot immediately come to the Center you may call us at (870) 972-2318. Please indicate if you are experiencing a crisis and explain the situation. 
• Depending upon the situation, a counselor may schedule an appointment at the earliest available time, may come to your location, or you may escort the student to the Wilson Counseling Center (107 N. Caraway Rd). In some situations it may also be appropriate to request assistance from University Police (972-2093).
• A referring person should remain with the Student until help arrives if possible.

When the Wilson Counseling Center is closed (after hours and on weekends)

Call the University Police Department (870) 972-2093 or 9-911. Let them know that you have a mental health crisis and request to speak to a counselor.  UPD will contact an on-call counselor who will respond as soon as possible. 

Students experiencing a medical emergency or life threatening mental health situation should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Local Area Hospitals: