We recognize that helping a student in distress can be stressful and even overwhelming. Sometimes, students may require professional help to adequately address their problems. For that reason, Mason provides a number of resources to support you and to ensure that the student receives the help they need. Below is the procedure for reaching out to resources for students:
If you feel there is immediate danger, call Mason Police promptly at either 9-1-1 (when on campus) or (703) 993-2810.
If you do not feel that the student’s concerns rise to the level of an emergency, please contact the Student Support and Advocacy Center at (703) 993-3686 to discuss your concerns. The Student Support and Advocacy Center may have had previous contact with the student about whom you are concerned and will be able to use your information to develop an informed plan of action. You can also visit their website to submit a request for assistance with a student.
CAPS is also available to consult whenever there is a difficult situation; please take advantage of this resource by calling (703) 993-2380 during business hours. Staff can address questions or concerns you have about a student’s well-being, including providing information on where to obtain assistance and guidance about how to approach the student to help them get the support they need.
Counselors are not able to initiate contact with students, who are not active clients. Students need to contact CAPS to make an appointment for consultation/counseling services. If you are concerned that a student will be unable to do this, you may walk them into our office to aid them in the first step of making an appointment or call when they are with you so that they can make an appointment at that time. If you have serious concerns about a student and do not feel they can follow through to help themselves, please contact Student Support and Advocacy Center.