The author discusses a question he says every literature teacher must face sooner or later: how to respond to a student’s crisis. The discussion is in the context of student reactions to novels studied in a course on the cultural & psychological implications of mental illness. Berman does not advocate instructors avoid emotionally charged texts but cautions they need to be aware some students may identify with literary characters, including ones who are depicted as being suicidal. The latter part of the article includes responses Berman received in an online discussion of whether or not college teachers should inform students they might become at risk when reading literature. (16 refs.)