What you should know about the new 988 lifeline, the Stanford Red Folder, and crisis care

Looking out for students who may be in crisis is something John Austin has done for nearly 30 years of working on college campuses. At Stanford, where he serves as the senior advisor for mental health and well-being innovation in Student Affairs, he says the pandemic presented new challenges to the way we look out for each other, and it amplified issues that have been there all along for students, as well as faculty and staff. 

If you are looking for ways to look out for others, here are three places you can find help: 

Dial 988

In July, the U.S. transitioned the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to the easy-to-remember three-digit number 988. You can call this lifeline 24/7 if you are in crisis or if you need to help someone who is. 

Stanford’s Red Folder

Several years ago, Student Affairs issued a printed Red Folder resource guide and a website as a companion piece to in-person trainings that helped faculty, staff, and student leaders look out for students in crisis. The Red Folder website is already full of helpful information and is being updated now to launch with the new academic year. The printed piece—which hasn’t been printed since before the pandemic—will once again be available in hard copy later this fall. The feedback on both resources, John says, suggests that this skill set is translatable and transferable to situations beyond what students face.

Emergency resources

If you need more support, or if you or someone you know is in distress and in need of emergency services, you'll find access to police, crisis hotlines and more information on the Faculty Staff Help Center website. For on-campus emergencies, call 9-911.