Student Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

Emergency and Crisis Situations

• If you or another student is experiencing a life-threatening emergency or is at immediate risk of harming themselves or others, call 911 immediately.
• If you are on campus and have an immediate safety concern, need an escort, or require assistance, contact Campus Security at 610-892-1547. Campus Security can respond to campus safety concerns and coordinate with local emergency responders when necessary.
• If you or another student is experiencing a non-life-threatening mental health crisis, contact the Uhelp 24/7 Crisis Line at 833-646-1526 for immediate support.
• For 24/7 mobile mental health crisis outreach in Delaware County, contact the Delaware County Crisis Connections Team at 1-855-889-7827.
• For crisis support by text, contact the Pennsylvania Crisis Text Line by texting PA to 741741.
• Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential, 24/7 support if you are experiencing emotional distress, a mental-health crisis, or thoughts of suicide

Non-Life Threatening Situations:

• Contact Student Affairs
  • Contact our Social Services Coach, Ms. Alina Colangeli
  • Contact our Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Marquise Isaac-Rivers
  • Contact your Student Success Coach
• Utilize UWill
  • Umatch – we offer 6 free tele-therapy sessions to faculty, staff and students
  • Urise – Wellness programing exploring topics related to stress relief, self-care, relationships, self-esteem, sleep, nutrition, resilience, and more.
  • Uhelp – Direct Crisis Line
  • For more information, please visit https://www.pit.edu/mental-health-and-well-being/ or contact Ms. Alina Colangeli
• Workshops & Wellness Events
  • Student Affairs is committed to promoting student well-being through interactive workshops and campus events. Topics may include:
    • Mindfulness and Stress Management
    • Anxiety and Mental Wellness
    • Self-Care and Resilience
    • Healthy Coping Strategies
    • Personal Wellness
  • Keep an eye on your PIT email, Canvas announcements, and campus flyers for upcoming events. If you have questions, reach out to your Student Success Coach.

• Hope for Hallie – A local nonprofit organization that helps reduce financial barriers to mental health care, including assistance with therapy-related services.
• Delaware County Mental Health Services – Provides information about county mental health programs, services, and local providers. Call 610-713-2365 for general information. For an immediate mental health crisis, call 1-855-889-7827.
• Mental Health Partnerships / Project Share Recovery Learning Center – Provides peer-led recovery services, educational opportunities, and community support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
• MVP Recovery -Offers substance-use recovery services, treatment navigation, peer support, and other supportive resources.
• Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County – Provides domestic violence crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, safety planning, and legal advocacy. Call the 24-hour hotline at 610-565-4590.
• Delaware County Victims Assistance Center – Provides crisis support, advocacy, safety planning, and related services for survivors of sexual assault and other crimes. Call the 24-hour hotline at 610-566-4342.
• Peter’s Place – Provides grief support and counseling resources for children, teens, and families following a death or other significant loss.

• A person may need immediate support when they talk, write, post, or behave in ways that suggest suicide, self-harm, hopelessness, or serious emotional distress. Warning signs may include:
  • Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, or being a burden to others.
  • Looking for a way to harm oneself, obtaining lethal means, or developing a suicide plan.
  • Withdrawing from family, friends, school, work, or activities; saying goodbye; or giving away valued possessions.
  • Extreme mood changes, agitation, rage, anxiety, reckless behavior, or a sudden unexplained sense of calm after severe distress.
  • Major changes in sleep, eating, substance use, attendance, academic performance, personal care, or daily functioning.
  • Experiencing a recent loss, trauma, relationship crisis, financial hardship, legal concern, housing instability, or other overwhelming stressor.
• Take all suicide-related statements and behaviors seriously. When there is immediate danger, call 911. For urgent emotional or suicide-related support, call or text 988 or access Uwill crisis support. For all other non-urgent support, please reach out to Student Affairs.

• Seek immediate help when there is danger. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department when a person is in immediate danger, has attempted self-harm, has a plan and access to means, or requires urgent medical care.
• Use 24/7 crisis support. Call or text 988, access Uwill crisis support, or call the Delaware County Crisis Connections Team at 1-855-889-7827.
• Do not stay alone. A student in crisis should remain with a trusted person while help is contacted. When supporting another person, remain with them when it is safe to do so.
• Tell someone. Share concerns with Student Affairs, a Student Success Coach, an instructor, or another trusted P.I.T. employee so the College can help connect the student to support.
• Follow through with support. Use recommended counseling, healthcare, community, academic, and basic-needs services, and participate in follow-up when offered.

Following a student death, suicide attempt, or other serious crisis affecting the campus community, P.I.T. will coordinate a compassionate response to support students, faculty, and staff. Support may include appropriate campus communication, outreach to affected individuals, referrals to Uwill, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, community mental health resources, and continued follow-up through Student Affairs.

Official College communications will be shared, as appropriate, by Mr. H. Matthew Myers, President; Ms. Kamira Evans, Vice President of Student Engagement; and/or Mr. Craig Jacobs, Clery Compliance Officer.

Students seeking support may contact Alina Colangeli, Social Services Success Coach, or Dr. Marquise Isaac-Rivers, Director of Student Affairs. Faculty and staff are encouraged to report concerns to Student Affairs so the College can provide timely assistance and identify any additional support needs.

At P.I.T., we understand that challenges outside the classroom can affect a student’s ability to succeed. Our Student Affairs team works with students to identify barriers, connect them with resources, and provide support throughout their educational journey.

Social Services Support

P.I.T.’s Social Services Success Coach works directly with students who may be experiencing personal, financial, housing, transportation, or other challenges that could interfere with their academic progress. The Social Services Success Coach connects students with helpful College and community resources and develops partnerships with local organizations, nonprofit agencies, and utility providers.

Community partners and resources may include:

• PECO
• Philadelphia Gas Works
• Media Fellowship House
• Community Action Agency of Delaware County
• Housing and utility-assistance programs
• Workforce-development services
• Free tax-preparation assistance
• Scholarship and financial-support programs
• Other local community resources

Parenting Student Support

P.I.T.’s Parenting Success Coach provides individualized support to students who are parents or have caregiving responsibilities.

The Parenting Success Coach connects students with College and community resources designed to reduce the added stress of balancing school, work, family, and caregiving responsibilities. Available support may include:

• Childcare resources
• Housing assistance
• Financial-literacy support
• Parenting resources
• Scholarship opportunities
• Referrals to local family-support programs

CA.R.E. Center

The P.I.T. C.A.R.E. Center is an essential-needs pantry that provides students with free personal-care and parenting supplies.

Available items may include:

• Personal-hygiene products
• Haircare products
• Oral-care products
• Diapers and wipes
• Baby soap and other parenting supplies
• Additional essential-needs items
• All C.A.R.E. Center items are provided at no cost to P.I.T. students.

Emergency Hardship Assistance

P.I.T. may offer emergency hardship assistance through available College and external funding sources. Eligible students may apply for help with unexpected expenses that could interfere with their education.

Assistance may be available for:

• Rent and housing-related needs
• Utility expenses
• Transportation
• Food insecurity
• Other urgent financial hardships

Funding availability and eligibility requirements may vary

Scholarships

• P.I.T. offers and promotes scholarship opportunities that can help reduce the financial burden of pursuing a college education.
• Students may be considered for internal scholarships offered by the College and may also receive information about scholarships available through community organizations and external partners.

Your Student Success Team

Every P.I.T. student has access to a team of professionals who work together to support them from enrollment through completion.

An Admissions Representative guides the student through the application and enrollment process. Once the student is enrolled, the Admissions Representative helps connect the student with Financial Aid and Student Affairs.

Students are also assigned:

• A Financial Aid Representative who provides guidance throughout the student’s time at P.I.T.
• A Student Success Coach who supports the student from the first term through graduation or program completion.
• Together, the Student Success Team helps students navigate College processes, access resources, address challenges, and stay on track toward their academic and career goals.

How to Respond to a Student in Crisis

Faculty and staff should respond calmly, respectfully, and promptly. The following ALGEE-based approach should be used:

• Approach, assess, and assist with any crisis. Speak privately when possible, assess immediate safety, and call 911 when the student is in immediate danger. Do not leave the student alone when there is an urgent safety concern.
• Listen nonjudgmentally. Allow the student to speak without minimizing, debating, or dismissing the concern. Do not promise confidentiality.
• Give reassurance and information. Explain that support is available and provide information about Uwill, 988, Student Affairs, and appropriate community services.
• Encourage appropriate professional help. Assist the student in contacting crisis or counseling resources and notify Student Affairs after urgent safety needs are addressed.
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies. When appropriate, encourage connection with trusted family members, friends, healthcare professionals, community supports, and other safe resources.
• Reporting and follow-up: Faculty and staff should complete a P.I.T. incident report as soon as possible. Student Affairs will coordinate follow-up and consult the Campus Safety Committee when appropriate. Employees should not diagnose, provide counseling, or attempt to manage a serious crisis alone.

P.I.T. provides faculty and staff with ongoing training to help them recognize mental health and suicide-related concerns and respond appropriately.Training may include:

• Mental health and suicide-prevention education through Vector Solutions and other professional-development programs
• Guidance on P.I.T.’s crisis-response procedures and available referral resources
• Information about when and how to report concerns
• Clear expectations for employees who may need to support or refer a student
• Additional training for student leaders and employees who work closely with students

P.I.T. also reviews its crisis-response procedures and training practices regularly to ensure that students are connected with timely and appropriate support.

For specific information regarding Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources, please contact anyone listed below

• Kamira Evans, MPA – Vice President of Student Engagement & Chief of Staff
• Marquise Isaac-Rivers, Ed.D. – Director of Student Affairs and TRIO-SSS
• Alina Colangeli, M.A. – Social Services Success Coach
• Marcia Garbutt, M.S. – Parenting Student Success Coach
• Magan Pilato, MS, NCC, LPC – Student Success Coach

For P.I.T.’s full Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan, please click the button below: