Emergencies
Crisis Support
During regular business hours (8AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday), you are welcome to come to the Counseling Center to speak with one of our staff members.
We define an emergency as an acute clinical situation in which there is an imminent risk of serious psychological or physical harm to self or others unless there is some immediate intervention.
Please note that anxiety attacks (high stress, feeling overwhelmed, difficulty navigating emotions or distress) are not considered emergencies.
Emergency situations would include a recent experience (within the last two weeks) of any of the following:
- active thoughts of suicide where physical safety is a concern (e.g., plan, intent to act)
- thoughts of killing others with intent to act and/or fear of inability to control one’s actions toward others
- sexual assault or rape
- identity-based trauma, discrimination, or violence (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation)
- domestic violence
- death of loved one
- natural disaster or serious accident
Please note that anxiety attacks (high stress, feeling overwhelmed, difficulty navigating emotions or distress) are not considered crisis. If you are experiencing high anxiety or distress but do not meet the above emergency criteria, we have other resources such as Let's Talk, our Relaxation Room, or BucsPress2.
BUCS Press 2 Helpline : 423-439-4841 then press 2
BucsPress2 is a 24-hour mental health help line for ETSU Students. It provides FREE, confidential crisis counseling over the phone. It is staffed 24/7/365 by counseling professionals under contract with The Counseling Center.
Is BucsPress2 right for you?
- You, or another student, needs to talk and feel supported.
- You are in emotional crisis and are unable to go to The Counseling Center.
- You are not having a life-threatening emergency.
More about BucsPress2
When calling this service, a counselor will take a few minutes to gather information
about you and your needs so that they can provide you with the best care.
This service is an extension of The Counseling Center and protects your right to privacy
and confidentiality.
Emergencies After-Hours and Weekends
On campus:
Call ETSU Public Safety at (423)439-4480
Call BucsPress2 at (423)439-4841 Press2
Off campus:
Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Other Emergency Resources:
Veterans/Military
Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
Text HELP to 838255
Live Chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat
LGBTQ+
Call the Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
Text TREVOR to 678678
Or Live Chat: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/
Interpersonal/Domestic Violence
Call 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Live Chat: https://www.thehotline.org/
Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee 865-522-7273
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 800-868-4673 (HOPE)
RAINN Live Chat: https://www.rainn.org/
During a crisis, DO NOT contact the Counseling Center office by email or leave a phone message. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to respond quickly.