Division of Student Affairs Emergency Plan
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Medical Emergency
Mental Health Emergency
Death of a Student
Office of Health and Wellness
&
Office of Personal Development and Counseling Services
AR/JA/DR Revised 7 May 2015
Medical Emergency
Who to call – Ambulance Services
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Call 4454 8550 for any emergency on campus.
Call 999 for any emergency off-campus.
When should I call for emergency assistance?
Any of the following symptoms are reasons to call for immediate medical help:
 Chest pain
 Difficulty breathing
 Severe bleeding
 Disorientation
 Uncontrollable vomiting
 Loss of consciousness
 Head injury
 Ingestion or Inhalation of a toxic substance
 Seizure activity
 Suspected fractures
 Alcohol poisoning or drug related overdose
 Serious allergic reaction
When should I NOT call for emergency assistance?
Emergency assistance should not be used for diagnosis of a medical condition or for delivery of nonemergency first aid supplies. If you need non-emergency medical treatment, you can visit the QFPrimary Health Care Center located in the Student Center.
What about alcohol?
Don't let your friend just "sleep it off." You could be ignoring the potentially fatal symptoms of alcohol
poisoning.
Call for help immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms after alcohol consumption:
 Mental confusion
 Difficulty waking up
 Cold or pale skin
 Very slow or irregular breathing
 Vomiting
**Confidentiality – The Office of Health and Wellness has safeguards in place to protect the individuals’
private health information (PHI) and we ensure that the PHI is not used or disclosed of improperly.
AR/JA/DR Revised 7 May 2015
Medical Emergency
Director of Health and
Wellness is on campus
(Amie 3314 9418)
Assess situation and call
an ambulance (on
campus 4454 8550/ off
campus 999)
Determine if a member
of Student Affairs needs
to accompany the
student to the Hospital
Director of Heallth and
Wellness informs
Assistant Dean for
Student Affairs (Gloria
5584 0582)
Assistant Dean for
Student Affairs notifies
Dean for Academic
Affairs and all other
necessary individuals
Director of Health and
Wellness is not on
campus
Assess situation and
determine if student is
capable of being treated
via QF- PHCC or Home
care
Assess the situation and
determine if it is a
medical emergency
Student returns to
normal activity and has a
follow up plan in place
Call an ambulance as
appropriate (on campus
4454 8550/ off campus
999)
Notify the Assistant Dean
for Student Affairs (Gloria
5584 0582)
Assistant Dean for
Student Affairs notifies
Dean for Academic
Affairs and all other
necessary individuals
AR/JA/DR Revised 7 May 2015
Mental Health Emergency
Who to call – Ambulance Services
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Call 4454 8550 for any emergency on campus.
Call 999 for any emergency off-campus.
When should I call for emergency assistance?
Anytime there is an imminent risk of harm to an individual. Imminent risk refers to an immediate threat
to life, which can occur under many different circumstances. The Individual has a plan in place to harm
oneself or others and they have the means to carry out the plan.
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Any of the following symptoms/crisis are reasons to call for immediate mental health care:
Sexual Assault
Sexual Abuse
Domestic Violence
Suicidal Ideations
Disorientation
Hallucinations
Delusions
Complete withdrawl
Uncontrollable behavior
If a mental health emergency is observed, it is important to remember that Carnegie Mellon University
Qatar has on-campus staff expertise, as well as access to additional community resources, to help
resolve the situation.
Your primary responsibility is not to attempt to serve as a mental health counselor, but rather notify the
Office of Personal Development and Counseling Services so the situation can be addressed properly.
When should I NOT call for emergency assistance?
Emergency assistance should not be used for “diagnosis” of a mental condition or for delivery of nonemergent counseling services. If you need non-emergent mental health treatment, you can visit the
Office of Personal Development and Counseling or seek community resources.
**Confidentiality – The Office of Personal Development and Counseling has safeguards in place to
protect the individuals’ private health information (PHI) and we ensure that the PHI is not used or
disclosed of improperly.
AR/JA/DR Revised 7 May 2015
Mental Health
Emergency
Director of Personal
Development and
Counseling Services is
on campus (Jumana
5589 3662 and/or Dalia
6601 1922)
Assess situation and
call an ambulance (on
campus 4454 8550/ off
campus 999)
Determine if a member
of Student Affairs
needs to accompany
the student to the
Hospital
Director of Personal
Development and
Counseling Services
informs Assistant Dean
for Student Affairs
(Gloria 5584 0582)
Assistant Dean for
Student Affairs notifies
Dean for Academic
Affairs and all other
necessary individuals
Director of Personal
Development and
Counseling Services is
not on campus
Assess situation and
determine if student is
capable of being
treated via the Office
of Personal
Development and
Counseling Services
Student returns to
normal activity and
has a follow up plan in
place
Assess the situation
and determine if there
is imminent risk of
harm to others or to
oneself
Call an ambulance as
appropriate (on
campus 4454 8550/ off
campus 999)
Notifies the Director of
Personal Development
and Counseling
Services
Notifies the Assistant
Dean for Student
Affairs who will then
notify the Dean for
Academic Affairs and
all other necessary
individuals
AR/JA/DR Revised 7 May 2015
Death of a Student
The death of a student may be sudden and has an impact on the entire campus community. The
location and circumstances of the death will determine the appropriate response from the university.
Depending on the nature of the circumstances, the response will vary:
Student Death
Notify the Assistant Dean for
Student Affairs (Gloria 5584
0582)
Notify the Dean for Academic
Affairs
Notify the Director of
Personal Development and
Counseling Services
Provide resources to students
and offer services as
necessary
AR/JA/DR Revised 7 May 2015
Notify all other necessary
individuals
When responding to an emergency, it is important that you:
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React in a calm, patient manner. Fear can be contagious, so it is important that your actions and
speech provide a sense of calm during a crisis.
Do not assume you understand what the student in crisis is experiencing, but assure the student
that you are there to assist them in getting appropriate help.
Use active listening skills to assess what the student needs and gather information to share with
relevant healthcare providers (Office of Health & Wellness and/or Office of Personal
Development & Counseling Service)
Listen to thoughts and feelings in a sensitive non-threatening way.
Express empathy and paraphrase what has been said to be clear that you understand the
situation.
Avoid judging, evaluating, or criticizing the student in crisis. Such behavior is likely to close the
student off from you and from getting the help needed. It is important to respect the student's
value system, even if you don't agree with it.
Other factors to consider:
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If a student is anxious, tense or fearful, it may be helpful to move to a space with reduced
stimulation. If possible, ask the student to move to a quiet area while you assess the crisis.
o Do not minimize the perceived threat to which the student is reacting
o Do not take responsibility for the student’s emotional state
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If a student is angry, hostile or demanding, remain calm and keep a safe distance. Speak in quiet
tones and remain calm, as this is more effective than telling the student to “calm down.”
o Acknowledge the student’s anger and frustration, e.g., "I hear how angry you are."
o Tell the student you are not willing to accept their verbally abusive behavior, e.g.,
"When you yell and scream at me that way, I find it hard (impossible) to listen"
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If a student has disclosed that they have been assaulted or abused, remain calm while you
provide empathy and support. Let them know that you have the obligation to report this
incident to the Title IX Coordinator.
o Do not assume you understand what the student has experienced
o It is likely that the student is feeling ashamed, helpless, anger or guilt. It is important
that you do not allow the victim to blame his/herself for the assault. You can correct
instances of self-blame with empathy and support. It may be helpful to say “I hear you
are upset, however you are not to blame for this” or “I understand you are feeling
helpless, but please know that you are not guilty and did not ask for the assault” or “I
hear you are hurt, but you cannot take responsibility for someone else’s actions.”
o Do not minimize the impact of the event or suggest that in some way they brought the
assault/event upon themselves.
AR/JA/DR Revised 7 May 2015