Medical Emergency, Mental Health Crisis

Medical Emergency

• If someone experiences a medical emergency, remain calm and call 911 then x4444 or use an Emergency Call Box to report the incident.
• Do not move the victim unless they are in danger.
• If you are trained to provide first aid, provide basic first aid and basic life support (CPR).
• Comfort the patient and assure them that medical assistance is on the way.
• Do not jeopardize your health or the health of the patient. Wait for professional help if you cannot provide appropriate first aid safely.
• If you provide first aid, consider if immediate action is required to save a life and if you will put yourself in jeopardy if you do.
• Be aware of the hazards associated with blood-borne pathogens. If you come into contact with suspected infectious material, wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and water, and seek medical attention.
• When reporting an emergency, you must give your name and location to ensure first responders can locate the medical emergency

Identify & Manage a Mental Health Crisis

Anyone can experience stress associated with academic demands, family problems, social relations, work, finances, and cultural experiences. The inability to cope with emotional distress can lead to disruptions in overall functioning.

As mentioned previously, students can seek help from the Counseling Center. Appointments can be scheduled by phone or in person. To schedule an appointment for individual counseling, call 704-406-2729 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Emergency services are available on a 24-hour basis. After hours and on weekends, you can call Gardner-Webb University
Police at 704-406-4444 or the on-call Counseling Center number 704-406-2599 or dial988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Sometimes a person’s usual coping skills are overwhelmed. The signs can include:

• Highly disruptive or aggressive behavior
• Overt suicidal threats (written or verbal)
• Homicidal threats (written, verbal, or a history of violence)
• Inability to communicate (incoherent, garbled, or slurred)
• Loss of contact with reality

If you have concerns that someone is experiencing such a crisis, call 704-406-4444 to request assistance. While waiting for aid to arrive (if you perceive no threat to yourself or others), you should:

• Provide a safe, secure, quiet environment
• Invite the person to stay until help arrives
• Listen actively and show empathy
• Maintain a straightforward, supportive attitude
• Don’t leave the person alone unless you feel threatened
• Don’t try to restrain the person if they want to leave
• Don’t challenge or shock the person
• Don’t minimize the person’s distress

Fire Plan

Should the College of Health Sciences building need to be evacuated due to an emergency, students should proceed to the nearest safe exit and proceed immediately to the far side of the student parking lot on the east side of the building. Students should stay with their class group so that faculty can determine that all students are accounted for and should NOT return to the building until officials determine it is safe. Please refer to the University Emergency Response Guide for additional information and instructions.