Crisis Categories

Level 1 — Student-Level Crisis

• Suicidal ideation or self-harm
• Student experiencing acute mental health episode
• Student disclosing abuse or neglect
• Student experiencing homelessness

Level 2 — School-Level Crisis

• Physical altercation requiring medical attention
• Weapon on campus
• Substance overdose
• Sexual assault on campus

Level 3 — Community/School-Wide Crisis

• Active threat on campus
• Death of a student or staff member
• Natural disaster
• Community violence affecting the school

Crisis Response Steps

Immediate Response (0–30 minutes)

1. Ensure safety — Remove students from danger, call 911 if needed
2. Activate crisis team — Notify principal, counselors, and designated responders
3. Secure the area — Control access to the incident location
4. Provide first aid — If trained and needed
5. Notify law enforcement — If criminal activity or imminent danger

Short-Term Response (Hours 1–24)

1. Assess the situation — Gather facts, consult with administration
2. Communicate — Notify parents, staff, and community as appropriate
3. Provide support — Open counseling rooms, identify affected students
4. Document — Record all actions taken and by whom
5. Debrief — Crisis team meeting to assess response and plan next steps

Recovery (Days–Weeks)

1. Continue counseling — Individual and group support as needed
2. Monitor — Watch for delayed reactions in students and staff
3. Restore routine — Return to normal schedule as soon as safely possible
4. Memorialize (if applicable) — Appropriate remembrance without glorification
5. Review and improve — Update crisis plan based on lessons learned

Dean/Counselor Crisis Kit

Keep these items readily accessible:

• Emergency contact list (administration, law enforcement, crisis agencies)
• Mental health referral forms
• Parent notification templates
• Student emergency contact cards
• Crisis assessment tools (Columbia Protocol, etc.)
• Calm-down supplies (water, tissues, stress balls)