Emergencies

  • If you have an immediate concern about suicide, either personally or for someone else, call Student Health at 212-305-3400 and request to speak with a clinician or nurse immediately. You may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or go to the nearest emergency room.
  • If you have experienced sexual, domestic, and/or intimate partner violence, stalking, harassment, or any other form of gender-based violence, contact Sexual Violence Response (SVR) at 212-854-4357 (HELP) for 24/7/365 support. Read more about what to do if you have been sexually assaulted.
  • If you have had an occupational blood or infectious body fluid exposure, follow instructions for Occupational Exposures.
  • If you have been involved in a non-sexual assault with possible blood/infectious body fluid exposure, go immediately to the emergency room for possible post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV—ideally started as soon as possible after exposure.

Not Sure?

If you are uncertain whether this is an emergency, contact Student Health at 212-305-3400. Emergency telephone consultations are available when we are closed and we can:

  • Offer advice
  • Call in indicated prescriptions
  • Advise if an urgent evaluation is necessary and direct you appropriately

Follow-Up

It is important to follow-up with Student Health after an emergency. If you go directly to the emergency room:

  • After you are discharged, call 212-305-3400 so we can assist you with follow-up.
  • If the emergency room refers you to another physician for follow-up, you MUST get a referral from Student Health first, or your referral will NOT be covered as an in-network benefit by the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan. Call 212-305-3400 during business hours to make an appointment to get your referral.
  • See Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan Summary of Benefits and Coverage 2021-2022 for detailed information about insurance coverage, including emergency room and ambulance copays. Students can also view more information about Health Insurance at Student Health on Haven.