Frequently Asked Questions

The Crisis Line is operated by Boys Town National Hotline. They have very strict rules concerning the release of information. The caller's number and location does come up onscreen with each call. However, the information shared is only recorded in summary form, referred to in the case of a repeat caller (same person), tabulated only in generalities for the purpose of refining the services, and released to no one (including universities, families, Grad Resources or others) except in extreme cases (such as death of the caller or upon their permission).

Q. How are the crisis line counselors trained in or sensitive to graduate student issues?

Counselors were trained through the normal course of manuals, seminars, and monitored instruction (along with regular evaluation) as required by the Boys Town National Hotline. They and their trainers were also part of a day-long seminar presented by Nick Repak from Grad Resources and Dr. Mary Frances Seeley from Hotline Consultants Inc. on the stresses and challenges faced by grad students. This seminar, and the discussion which followed, were videotaped for future use in training other counselors. As callers began utilizing the service, there were opportunities for the counselors to consult together on the issues that were recurring and to discuss together the best means of counseling the callers.

Q. What is the follow-up policy for callers?

Referrals include the local university mental health services, the campus crisis hot lines if they have them, community services (when available), off-campus help, or emergency rooms if these are the only after-hours services available. Grad Resources is never given student referrals.

Q. What kind of information is shared with local services ? What kinds of local services are they talking about?

All partnerships discussed are between the Crisis Line and the local campus mental health services. None of these have any affiliation with Grad Resources. No information is shared with them except at the request of the caller (i.e., when conferencing in local support persons while caller is on the line). See also above answer regarding follow-up policy.

Q. Since phone/address information (generally) pops up on a screen, is this information recorded and saved in any way? Is it given out to anyone besides 911/local emergency resources if suicide risk is assessed as high?

No university administrators are given information about the caller unless the caller gives permission (some emergency personnel are given general statements about the person if it is necessary to treat them -- i.e., someone has said they are about to do harm). Grad Resources does not receive this information and makes no attempt to "follow-up" callers for future contact.