Students who are experiencing a psychological or emotional crisis often need immediate help and intervention. Some examples of serious crises include:
- Suicidal or homicidal thoughts or impulses
- Sexual or physical assault
- Hearing voices or otherwise misperceiving reality
- Overwhelming loss, such as a death in the family
Resources for help include the: Personal Counseling Office, Penn State Crisis Line, Crisis Text Line, services for relationship violence and sexual assault, and hospitals.
Personal Counseling Office
The Personal Counseling Office provides crisis intervention services Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call or come to our office (814-898-6504, 212 Erie Hall) and MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU ARE IN CRISIS. Every effort will be made to respond as soon as possible. If you are receiving ongoing treatment at the office, you may ask to speak to your regular counselor.
If you need crisis intervention services outside of our office hours, please call one of the phone numbers given above or contact the appropriate community service agency or hospital.
Psychiatric Medications
If you are having a problem with a psychiatric medication, experience serious side effects, or if your problem is urgent, contact the Personal Counseling Office for consultation.
If you need assistance outside of our office hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), contact the Millcreek Community Hospital at 814-868-8270.
Red Folder
The Red Folder is a quick reference guide for recognizing, responding to, and referring students in distress. The guide provides resources that are available at Behrend as well as the University.
Penn State Crisis Line
Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400. This service is staffed 24 hours a day by licensed counselors who can gather information, refer to appropriate resources, and manage concerns for Penn State students.
Crisis Text Line
Penn State has partnered with Crisis Text Line to provide an alternative medium, outside of phone-based and in-person services, to access crisis services. This is a national crisis support line and it's a FREE service that provides access to 24/7 crisis support via text messaging.
Crisis Counselors are volunteers and are not therapists and do not diagnose or counsel the texter. They engage in active listening and help the person “find calm and create an action plan to continue to feel better.”
Steps for using Crisis Text Line:
- Text “LIONS” to 741741.
- A live Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds quickly to help the student manage the crisis. If the Crisis Counselor determines that a student needs immediate services, they will contact appropriate local authorities (police, crisis lines, mobile mental health units) to respond.
This service is confidential and available in the US only.
Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Services
Crime Victim Center of Erie County
125 West 18th Street
Erie, PA 16501
814-455-9414
Counseling and 24-hour crisis intervention
SafeNet
1702 French Street
Erie, PA 16502
814-454-1744 or 814-454-8161
Counseling and emergency shelter services
Hospitals
Millcreek Community Hospital
5515 Peach Street
Erie, PA
814-868-8270
Saint Vincent Hospital
232 West 25th Street
Erie, PA
814-452-5530
UPMC Hamot
201 State Street
Erie, PA
814-877-6000