Mesa College Crisis Response
What is a campus crisis?
- Behavior that overtly threatens personal safety (e.g. physical altercations, threats with a weapon, suicidal gestures, etc.)
- Behavior that engenders extreme fear for someone's personal safety (e.g. possession of a weapon on campus verbal threats with outburst of rage, expressions of suicidal ideation or intent)
- Behavior that is unlawful (e.g. possession of illegal drugs on campus, theft, destruction of property) or counter to District Policies
- Behavior that is so illogical or bizarre as to engender concern (e.g. mental health issues)
How to respond to a campus crisis
Call dispatch
- (619) 388-6405 (in case of emergency, press the number "1" immediately)
- (619) 388-6519 (TTY) Once connected to dispatch, stay on the phone until informed otherwise.
- If in classroom, press Red Emergency Phone (phones are located on the wall)
What you can do until college police arrive
- DO
- Remain calm
- Secure the safety of self and others
- De-escalate intensity of the situation (e.g. speak slowly in a lower volume, talk to student in safe, private area, state concern for students welfare, listen to concerns calmly without agreeing or disagreeing)
- Provide a supportive environment
- Seek help from counseling or administration
- Do Not
- Confront/disagree with person in crisis
- Meet with or transport student to an off campus location
What other resources are available to deal with the aftermath of a crisis?
- Counseling: 619.388-2672, I430 (3rd Floor)
- Crisis Counseling:619.388-2538
- DSPS: 619.388-2780, H-202
- Student Affairs: 619.388-2699, H-500
- Student Health Services: 619.388-2774, L-504
- For a person to talk to 24/7 or for community counseling referrals call SD Access and Crisis Line at (800) 479-3339
When should you call 911?
- Call 9-1-1 for life threatening medical emergencies
- After you call 9-1-1, call campus dispatch at (619) 388-6405/ (619) 388-6519 (TTY)
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