Mental Health Resources At USAO
USAO offers free mental health resources to support all students, faculty, and staff. These resources include counseling, psychoeducational resources, and assessments aimed towards enhancing personal, social, emotional, and overall well-being and success. Access to these services can include virtual and in-person sessions as applicable.
The Student Life team-including Housing staff, USAO campus counselors, and the Dean of Students-in conjunction with Security acts as the first line of response to on campus mental health crises and is professionally equipped to support students facing a suicide threat or attempt.
USAO counselors are licensed mental health professionals who provide individual counseling
for personal, social, family, and academic concerns. Our goal is to provide services and activities that promote the development of healthy
lifestyles and the acquisition of problem-solving and decision-making skills.
If you are Concerned About a Student
Trust your instincts. If you believe a student may be at immediate risk of harming themselves—or you are unsure whether the risk is imminen —treat the situation as an emergency.
Signs of Imminent Risk
A student may be at immediate risk if:
- They have threatened or stated an intention to kill or seriously harm themselves.
- They have a plan or access to the means to harm themselves.
- They have already harmed themselves or taken action toward harming themselves.
- They are severely distressed, disoriented, or behaving in a way that makes you believe they are not safe.
What You Should Do
1. Get Immediate Help
Call 911 if the student is in immediate danger, has already harmed themselves, or needs emergency medical assistance.
Call or text 988 for immediate crisis support and help determining appropriate next steps.
Use TimelyCare TalkNow through the TimelyCare app for immediate mental health support.
If it is safe for you to do so, stay with the student while waiting for assistance. Do not leave the student alone unless your own safety is at risk.
2. Contact Campus Security
Campus Security: 405-222-8066
Provide the student’s name, location, and a brief description of what is happening.
3. Notify Campus Support
During regular business hours
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Dean of Students: 405-574-1349
- Mental Health Resources — Rachel Drechsler: 405-574-1326
After hours
5:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m., weekends, and holidays
Contact Campus Security or the Housing Coordinator/Director. Security or Housing will contact Mental Health Resources and the Dean of Students as needed.
4. Submit a Suicide Risk Report
After the immediate situation has been addressed, submit a Suicide Risk Report.
Include:
- What you observed
- What the student said or did
- Any actions you took
The report will be reviewed by the Dean of Students and appropriate campus personnel. The university may coordinate a professional risk assessment, support services, communication with instructors or emergency contacts, and other safety measures as appropriate.