Crisis Intervention

A Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) crisis counselor is available Monday through Friday (9:00 am – 4:00 pm). Same-day crisis sessions are reserved for students in high distress (see criteria below). Crisis sessions are intended to be brief (30 minutes) and focus on stabilization, short-term problem solving, and identification of next steps. Please call 414-229-7429, option 2, during business hours.

SHAW Crisis FAQ

What criteria are required to be seen for a Counseling services crisis session?

Any of the below criteria are required to qualify for a Counseling Services crisis session:

  • I’m concerned about my ability to keep myself safe.
  • I’m having thoughts of harming someone else.
  • I am bothered by hearing or seeing things that others do not.
  • I have experienced a traumatic event within the last month.

Counseling Services is a relatively small team of mental health professionals working to provide the best mental health care possible to over 24,000 students. Counseling Services has identified the above criteria for crisis sessions to focus our crisis response on those most in need and to protect ongoing service time so we can see more students and offer more diverse services.

What do I do if I have a crisis outside of SHAW crisis hours?

If you or someone you love is in distress and it is after regular business hours or on the weekend, the UW Mental Health Support 24/7 line is available for you. Didi Hirsch’s support line crisis responders work to ensure that student’s mental health concerns and crises are managed properly and that students receive the best care possible.

What do I do if my personal crisis doesn’t fit the above criteria?

If your current circumstances do not meet the above criteria for a crisis, you are still welcome to contact SHAW Counseling but you will not be able to be seen for a same-day crisis session. In this scenario, SHAW staff will reach out to you by phone within the next 24 hours (Mon-Fri) to provide support and explore the next steps to connect you to any needed services or resources.

Are crisis sessions in-person or over the phone?

Crisis sessions are almost always in person. In certain unique circumstances, when clinically appropriate, crisis intervention may happen over the phone or via Microsoft Teams. In all cases, contacting us via phone (414-229-7429, option 2) ahead of time will help expedite our response.

If SHAW is closed or you need help finding crisis resources in the community, please click the button below

Emergency Resources