It is always scary when you are worried about the well-being of a friend or loved one, especially if they have made statements that make you think they could be at risk to themselves or others, and even more still if they are far away and you can't lay eyes on them to know if they are okay.
If you are worried about someone's immediate well-being, the police department where they live can perform what is called a "welfare check" to see if they are okay or are in need of help. Police do not use sirens or draw attention to do a welfare check. They simply show up discreetly at the person's residence or known location to ask if they are okay or if they need help.
You can let the police know if you would like to remain anonymous as the person requesting the check. You also can call the police to get the results of the welfare check-- they will let you know what happened when they attempted to contact the person of concern.
To request a welfare check, simply search for the non-emergency phone number for the police department where your friend or loved one lives. If your friend is also a college student, you can call their university's police department.
If you are worried about how you can support a friend or loved one from afar, you might consider making an appointment for yourself to speak with a counselor at CNU's Office of Counseling Services. The Office of Counseling Services is a free and confidential resource for students located in the Freeman Center. They can help you come up with a plan for how you can support your friend or loved one, while also providing support to you to manage your own worries about this person.
They are available for appointments during business hours M-F. It's easy to set up an appointment to meet with a counselor-- just call 757-594-7047 or even walk in. You can learn more about the Office of Counseling Services here.