Talking about suicide: A guide for college and university staff

Trigger warning: these pages include content discussing suicidal feelings and self-harm 

Action plan 3 – crisis plan 

Action plan 3 is for when a student has confirmed they are at urgent risk of suicide. 

• Enlist the help of someone else so the student isn’t left alone, and you aren’t left alone with the student. 
• If the student is willing, arrange for them to go to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department. Telephone 999 and explain the situation. 
• If the student is very upset or uncooperative and you are on campus, call reception and ask them to call the police. The police can arrange for an ambulance if necessary. If you are not on campus, call the police yourself. 
• If you are on your own with the student stay with them until the ambulance arrives and you are able to hand over to the paramedics. It is not necessary for you to accompany the student in the ambulance to hospital.  
• Alternatively, where possible contact the appropriate member of safeguarding staff in your university and ask for them to join you (there should be a duty person at all times). 
• Once you have introduced the safeguarding colleague and the student is safe with them, excuse yourself.  
• Make a written note of key points and action taken. 
• Speak with your line manager about your concerns and your actions as soon as possible. 
• Contact HR or the counselling service manager or equivalent to arrange a debriefing session and hand over written notes so that follow-up support can be initiated. If the incident occurs out of office hours follow up with them as a priority. 

This content has been adapted from “Talking about suicide: A guide for college staff" originally developed as a partnership between the Association of Colleges and the Charlie Waller Trust and has been endorsed by Universities UK and Papyrus. It was written by members of the Charlie Waller team who are experts in the field – Dr Andrew Reeves, Kirsten Amis, Kath Caffrey – and reviewed by Prof. Keith Hawton at the Centre for Suicide Research.