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Get Urgent Help

For Faculty and Staff

You’re often the first to notice when a student may be struggling. If a student has come to you for help, you’ve simply noticed a change in their behavior, or you have another concern that you would like to discuss, the Dean of Students Office can help. We’ll help you navigate the situation, support the student, and find the right resources for everyone involved.

Ways to contact us

  • Call us: (734) 764-7420, leave a message after hours
  • Email us: deanofstudents@umich.edu
  • Walk in: Michigan Union, Suite 3100, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., no appointment needed
  • Online request: Submit a Student Support Request, non-emergencies only

When to reach out

You don’t need to wait for a crisis or diagnose a student’s level of distress to contact us. Many faculty and staff reach out simply to talk through a situation, consult on a minor concern, or ask for advice on how to support a student.

If you aren’t sure whether a situation requires support, we encourage you to call or submit a consult request anyway—we are here to help you navigate it.

Evaluating levels of distress

  • Mild distress (something feels off)

    Students in mild distress aren’t disrupting others, but their performance or mood may have shifted. Look for:

    • Sudden drops in grades or excessive absences.
    • Avoiding class participation or appearing unusually anxious.
    • Visible changes in hygiene, weight, or energy levels (e.g., very rapid speech or falling asleep during class).
  • Moderate distress (signs of a struggle)

    Students under significant emotional distress may be struggling to manage their emotions or the demands of the semester. Look for:

    • Repeated, highly emotional requests for extensions or special treatment.
    • Behavior that pushes the limits of classroom decorum.
    • Exaggerated or inappropriate emotional responses to small setbacks.
  • Severe distress (immediate concern)

    Students in severe distress signify an obvious crisis and indicate emergency care is needed. Look for:

    • Hostility, aggression, or threats toward self or others.
    • Disjointed thoughts, slurred speech, or appearing out of touch with reality.
    • Direct or indirect references to suicide or self-harm.
  • Questions to consider

    It might help to review the following questions, to help you determine the level of a student’s distress.

    • Has the student exhibited this behavior previously?
    • Is the current behavior non-threatening?
    • Is there a concern for the student’s general well-being?
    • Is the student exhibiting a high level of distress?
    • Is their behavior impacting others?
    • Is there an immediate threat to self and others?
    • Have they shared specific or indirect plans of harm to self or others?

Helping a student facing mild to moderate distress

Start the conversation. In a private setting, share what you’ve noticed. “I’ve noticed you’ve missed a few classes and I wanted to check in.”

Listen first. Be accepting and respectful. You don’t have to agree with their value system to be a caring listener.

Avoid quick fixes. Steer clear of “everything will be fine.” Instead, focus on one manageable next step.

Keep it professional. You aren’t expected to be a counselor. Encourage them to contact our office or CAPS.

Helping a student facing severe distress

Stay calm. Your calm presence can help de-escalate the situation.

Safety first. If there is an immediate threat, call 911. For non-emergency but severe concerns, call the University of Michigan Police Department at 734-763-1131.

Don’t go it alone. Stay with the student while help is called, or find a colleague to assist.

Ask the hard question. If you’re worried about suicide, ask directly: “Are you thinking about ending your life? It is a myth that asking “puts the idea” in their head—it often provides a much-needed opening for help.

After hours support and referrals

If a student is in crisis after regular business hours, reach out to one of the following resources.

Dean of Students Office On Call: 734-763-1131

Call the University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD) at the number above and ask to speak with the DOS staff member on call.

University Health & Counseling After-Hours Phone Line: 734-764-8312

Students can speak to a mental health professional 24/7.

University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD): 911

When there is an immediate risk of harm to the student or others, UMPD can help locate the student, provide emergency support, and assist with transport to the hospital if needed.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) 24-hr Crisis Line: 734-936-3333

If a student has been impacted by sexual misconduct, you can connect them with SAPAC for confidential crisis intervention and resources.