Emergency Steps for UW Travelers
1.Take whatever actions are necessary to assure your immediate safety, including calling the local emergency number for the country/region you are in.
2.Call International SOS by phone at +1 215 942 8226 or use the chat function in your ISOS Assistance app.
3.Contact UW Global Travel Health and Safety at travelemergency@uw.edu or 001-206-632-0153.
Medical and Mental Health Support: International SOS
You have access to UW International SOS as an international emergency assistance provider. You should create and activate your International SOS account as part of your travel registration. If you are a student participating in a UW study abroad program, accessing your International SOS materials will be part of your study abroad application.
If International SOS is able to coordinate the medical or security services, the traveler may not have to pay out-of-pocket or file reimbursement claims with Cigna.
International SOS membership provides access to emergency medical, mental health, and security services and evacuations. Travelers will also have access to online and app-based resources, unique to their itinerary location.
- Phone number: +1 215 942 8226
- Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by an ISOS service center.
- Use the chat function in your ISOS Assistance app, downloaded during travel registration.
- Use the “find a provider” function in your ISOS Assistance app to locate the nearest facility that ISOS works with.
Emergency and Non-Emergency Assistance: UW Global Travel Health and Safety
- Email: TravelEmergency@uw.edu (monitored 7 days a week)
- Phone number: 001-206-632-0153 (answered 24/7, for emergencies only)
- Phone calls will be initially answered by the UW Police Department.
- The operator will collect information about the emergency along with your contact information and forward the information to the Global Travel Health and Safety team, who will assist you.
- Emails can be sent for both emergencies and non-emergencies and will be answered as soon as possible.
Be prepared to provide the following information if possible:
- Your name
- Return contact information
- Country and program of study
- Name(s) of persons involved
- Description of emergency
- Actions taken
- Assistance needed
Non-Emergencies
If the incident is no longer an immediate or potential risk to health, safety or security, you can still call International SOS and report it to Global Travel Health and Safety at travelemergency@uw.edu.
For additional resources available to you through the UW, see Campus Community Safety for a list of units and contact information.
Counseling Resources
For a full mental health resource guide, download here.
International SOS can connect you with free mental health support. Call the Philadelphia Assistance Center at: +1.215.942.8226
Husky Helpline: Free, same-day counseling, available via app, phone or online chat.
UW Husky Health: The Mental Health unit can provide more long-term counseling for a fee.
Crisis Clinic: 24-hour crisis line and community resource directory, +1.866.4CRISIS (+1.206.427.4747)
Harborview Center for Sexual Assault & Traumatic Stress (HCSATS)
Public Health Seattle and King County Planned Parenthood
For Tacoma-specific psychological and wellness service resources, see here.
Department of State: Help for American Citizens
If you need to get in touch with the U.S. Embassy in your destination, use this resource to locate the nearest embassy or consulate.
When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. If you are arrested, immediately ask to speak to a consular officer. Under international agreements, the U.S. government has a right to provide consular assistance upon request.
The Embassy or Consulate can:
- Provide a list of attorneys who speak English if you require legal assistance
- Assist in contacting your family, friends or employers in the U.S.
- Help you obtain money from your family in the U.S.
- Monitor your health and welfare if you are in the hospital or jail
- Replace a stolen passport
- Help obtain appropriate medical care
- Provide information about the local criminal justice system
They cannot:
- Demand the immediate release of a U.S. citizen arrested abroad or cause a citizen to be released
- Represent a U.S. citizen at trial, give legal advice, or pay legal fees and/or fines with U.S. governmental funds
Civil Rights & Title IX Reporting
The UW Civil Rights Compliance Office (CRC) is responsible for compliance with civil rights laws and University policy, which extend to travelers abroad. Discrimination based on protected characteristics, including age, citizenship, disability, national origin or shared ancestry, race, sex, gender, veteran status, are protected while on UW global programs.
If you are considering reporting discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, learn what can be reported, how to make a report, and what support is available.
Making a report does not open an investigation but provides the affected party with resources and support, including how to pursue further action.
For program directors or employees managing students on official programs, you are required to make a report if you become aware of Title VI, VII, or IX violations while abroad.
Health and Safety Planning Guide
ISOS and International Insurance
Contact Global Travel Health and Safety
