Emergency / Crisis Support
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
If you or someone you know is experiencing situations such as these, they may be in a crisis:
- Having thoughts of suicide and/or are not sure they can keep themselves safe.
- Usual coping strategies are becoming dangerous.
- Having thoughts of harming someone else and may act on them.
- Hearing voices or seeing things that no one else sees or hears.
- Feeling physically or emotionally unsafe.
- Knows someone who is in a life-threatening situation.
If you don’t know if your situation is a crisis or not, it’s better to call us at 847-491-2151 and seek guidance rather than endure it on your own. We’re here to help!
Accessing Crisis Support
CAPS has crisis counselors available in-person and by phone during normal office hours, and by phone outside of normal office hours.
- Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM, and Wednesday 11:00AM-5:00PM
- Phone: 847-491-2151 (after-hours, press 0 at the menu)
- Location: 633 Emerson St., Searle Hall
Are you worried about a student?
Family, friends, faculty, and staff may consult with CAPS staff about their concerns regarding a student. Call 847-491-2151 and ask to speak to the on-call counselor. CAPS is required by law to keep counseling and relationships with clients confidential, but we can consult about how to approach various problems and concerns with your student and help you connect them to resources. Learn more about CAPS consultation services here.
More Resources
General Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – dial 988 or connect to a live chat counselor.
- Mandar la palabra "AYUDA" al numero 988 para servicios en español. (Text AYUDA to 988 for services in Spanish.)
- Veterans can call 988 and press “1” to receive specialized support.
- Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 741-741.
- Services are available in Spanish.
- Text STEVE to 741-741 to be connected to a provider specializing in supporting individuals of color.
- Services are also available on WhatsApp.
- Boy’s Town National Hotline – call 1-800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121.
- Spanish-speaking counselors are available.
- Translation services for more than 100 languages are available.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Resources
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
- Illinois Domestic Violence Help Line – call 1-877-863-6338.
- Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN) – call 1-800-656-4673 or chat with a support specialist.
Substance Abuse Resources
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline – call 1-800-622-4357. Services available in English and Spanish.
BIPOC Resources
- Racial Equity Support Line – call 503-575-3764 (M-F, 9AM-5PM PST).
- Asian LifeNet Hotline - call 1-877-990-8585. Services are available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and Fujianese.
- Blackline - call 1-800-604-5841.
- Strong Hearts Native Helpline – call 1-844-762-8483.
- General Resources with Translation Services / BIPOC Specialists
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – text ADUYA to 988 for services in Spanish.
- Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 741-741. Services available in Spanish. Text STEVE to 741-741 to be connected to a provider specializing in supporting individuals of color.
- Boys Town National Hotline – call 1-800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121. Spanish-speaking counselors and translation services for more than 100 languages are available.
LGBTQ Resources
- LGBT National Help Center – call 1-888-843-4564.
- The Trevor Project – call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or connect to a live chat counselor.
- Trans Lifeline – call 877-565-8860. Also offers a Family & Friends Hotline by calling the same number.
Veteran Resources
- Veteran Crisis Line – call 1-800-273-8255 and press “1,” text 838-255, or chat online with a VA professional.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – veterans can receive specialized support by dialing 988 and pressing “1”
View more Suicide Prevention and Training resources at Northwestern.