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Crisis Resources
From time to time a crisis occurs on Campus.
A crisis is an event where a student is at risk of self-harm or at risk of harming others and needs to be immediately responded to by those with appropriate competency. Crises are situations where there are high risks of dangerous or harmful, or even fatal outcomes.
A crisis might involve the following situations: student collapses; student confused and unwell; student unresponsive but conscious; or student behaving aggressively or inappropriately, etc, etc. These situations may be the result of drug overdoses, alcohol, or a physical or mental health issue.
Some of these circumstances will require urgent medical intervention usually in the form of an ambulance being called or the attendance of a first aid officer. Others might require security or police to be involved.
The current procedure as outlined in the ACU National Critical Incident Policy in the event of a crisis is to notify:
Manager, Campus Operations
or
Security, if available on your campus.
Distressed Students
The Counselling Service is available to assist emotionally and psychologically distressed students by appointment http://www.acu.edu.au/43432. If students require urgent assistance and the Counsellors are fully booked for the day, or unavailable, the following links provide information on external agency numbers, to help students get more immediate assistance.
Often a student's GP might be a good option. Otherwise, most distressed students are generally open to waiting to speak to a Counsellor if they know they have an appointment soon.
For students that are in distress rather than in crisis, it is always possible to offer some care by:
- Listening to their concerns;
- Being non-judgemental in your responses and behaviour;
- Giving them a private place to sit, if they need to cry;
- Showing interest and support;
- Ensuring that they are OK before they drive anywhere;
- Asking them if there is a friend or relative you could call to assist them;
- Referring them to the Counselling Service and passing on the Counsellors' contact details.
