Medical and Mental Health

Medical and Mental Health Emergencies

For 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

• Call 617-253-1212 (or x100 from a campus phone) or activate a Blue Light Phone for emergency assistance
• If the person is unconscious, attempt to wake them up by tapping them and speaking loudly
• If there 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 (except ice) 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 the person to a warm room
  • Soak in warm water or use body heat to warm
  • Do not massage or use a heating pad to generate warmth
• Hypothermia: unusually low body temperature (below 95 degrees is an emergency); shivering; exhaustion; confusion; fumbling hands; memory loss; slurred speech; or drowsiness
  • Get the 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 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 Health can provide, visit the MIT Health 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.