Medical and Mental Health

Medical and Mental Health Emergencies

For injuries, medical emergencies, and mental health emergencies that require immediate assistance, dial 100 from a campus phone or 617-253-1212 from any phone to be connected with emergency response resources.

Assist the Victim

These measures do not require training and cannot harm a person. Provide care by following these instructions, if it is safe and you are comfortable doing so.

Heart attack / Cardiac arrest

• If the person is unconscious, attempt to wake them up by shaking them and speaking loudly to them
• If their is no pulse, provide Hands-Only CPR by placing your hands in the center of the person’s chest and repeatedly compressing hard and fast
• Do not be afraid, your actions can only help. Do not stop until the person regains consciousness or help arrives
• If there is an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) present, open the AED and follow the instructions – see the AED map for locations 

Seizure

• If a person appears to be having a seizure, do not restrain them or place anything in or near their mouth. Move objects away from them to prevent injury and attempt to protect their head

Protect the airway

• If the person is vomiting or has fluid in their mouth, roll them onto their side to clear their airway

Control bleeding

• If the person is bleeding, apply direct pressure to the bleeding and do not stop until help arrives

Protect the spine

• If the person fell or hit their head, do not move them or allow them to move unless they are in immediate danger.

Keep the victim comfortable

• Keep the person comfortable and safe and do not allow them to take anything by mouth until responders arrive

Heat-related Illness

• Heat Cramps: muscle pains or spasms occur in the stomach, arms, or legs
  • Get person to a cooler location
  • Remove their excess clothing
  • Have person take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar
  • If cramps last more than an hour, call MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone)
• Heat Exhaustion: heavy sweating; paleness; muscle cramps; tiredness; weakness; dizziness; headache; nausea; vomiting; or fainting
  • Get person to an air-conditioned place to lie down
  • Loosen or remove their clothing
  • Have person take a cool bath
  • Have person take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar
  • If symptoms get worse or last more than an hour, call MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone)
• Heat Stroke: person with body temperature above 103 degrees (taken orally); red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness; confusion; or unconsciousness
  • Call MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone) or get the person to a hospital immediately
  • Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives

Extreme Cold 

• Frostbite: loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers, and toe; numbness; white or grayish-yellow skin; firm or waxy skin
  • Get person to a warm room
  • Soak in warm water or use body heat to warm
  • Do not massage or use a heating pad
• Hypothermia: unusually low body temperature (below 95 degrees is an emergency); shivering; exhaustion; confusion; fumbling hands; memory loss; slurred speech; or drowsiness
  • Get person to a warm room
  • Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin
  • Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck

Mental Health Emergencies

For injuries, medical emergencies, and mental health emergencies that require immediate assistance, dial 100 from a campus phone or 617-253-1212 from any phone to be connected with emergency response resources.

• For non-emergency mental health concerns for students, call 617-253-2916.
• For faculty, staff, and postdocs, call MIT MyLife Services at 844-405-LIFE (844-405-5433), (TTY) 866-892-7162, or email info@mitmylifeservices.com.  

Additional Information and Resources

• If you have questions about what non-emergency services MIT Medical can provide, visit the MIT Medical Urgent Care website, or call 617–253–1311 to be connected to a triage nurse for medical advice.
• To reach the Dean On Call, dial 617-253-1212 from any phone or 100 from a campus phone.
• To reach Violent Prevention and Response, call 617–253–2300.
• If you are concerned about a workplace exposure that does not pose an immediate risk, email MIT EHS at environment@MIT.EDU or call 617-452-3477.
• To report workplace injuries, visit the EHS occupational injury or illness reporting page.  
• To learn more about the AED program at MIT, including how to purchase a unit for your area, visit this page.
• To learn more about MIT’s ambulance service, MIT EMS, visit their website.