Emergencies
KUCC counselors provide emergency mental health services directly to students during the academic year. Counselors are also available to receive referrals about students in crisis from faculty, staff, and others who are concerned about the welfare of a Kutztown University student.
- Students who are experiencing a psychological emergency during normal office hours (Monday & Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm and Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm) can call or come to KUCC without an appointment. You will be evaluated by a counselor as soon as possible.
- All students are eligible for crisis services and should call KUCC and request to be evaluated as soon as possible if they are experiencing a mental health emergency or are concerned about their own safety or the safety of someone else.
- Students who have been referred for off-campus mental health services are eligible to use KUCC crisis intervention services.
- When Kutztown University Counseling Center is not open, requests for emergency psychological services by individuals who are on campus can be made by contacting the
Department of Public Safety at 610-683-4001. - 24-hour crisis services are also available through Holcolmb Crisis Intervention of Berks County at 610-379-2007.
- Students residing outside of Berks County can consult this list of crisis numbers or call 911.
- Emergency Services are also available through the emergency rooms of local hospitals.
- Please DO NOT use email or voicemail to communicate with KUCC in the event of an emergency.
How is a mental health emergency defined?
A mental health emergency is formally defined as:
- Suicidal thoughts with a plan and/or intent
- Thoughts about harming another person with a plan and/or intent
- Experienced a recent traumatic event (e.g., victim of a mugging, sexual assault, recent death)
- Experiencing hallucinations (visual or auditory)
Often, a student may be experiencing acute distress and/or may feel they are in crisis even if they are not experiencing the symptoms above. We encourage any student or person concerned about a student to contact KUCC or after-hours services if they feel a student is in crisis. A trained counselor or crisis worker will be able to assess the student and intervene as needed.
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
Services on Campus
- Kutztown University Counseling Center: 610-683-4072 (during operating hours)
- Health & Wellness Services: 610-683-4082
- Public Safety: 610-683-4001 (24-hours, 7 days)
24-Hour Crisis Contacts
- Holcolmb Crisis Intervention of Berks County at 610-379-2007
- Lehigh County Crisis Intervention: 610-782-3127
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
- Crisis Text Line: text "start" to 741-741 (http://www.crisistextline.org/)
- List of Pennsylvania county-by-county crisis intervention numbers
- List of state-by-state crisis intervention numbers
Rape/Sexual Assault Resources
- Safe Berks: (844) 789-7233 (24 hr. hotline)
- Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley: 610-437-3369
- Sexual Assault Reporting Information for Kutztown University