Emergencies

Contact Drake Public Safety at 811 or 911 if:

• A person threatens their own life.
• A person makes an attempt, or is known to be planning to make an attempt, on their own life.
• A person makes a threat against another person.
• A person seems very upset and does not calm down after a reasonable period of time, in conjunction with comments that indicate that the student finds life to be hopeless, pointless, etc.
• You have concerns for your own personal safety.
• You are in any situation where emergency services are needed.

After-Hours Services for Emergency Mental Health

Students who need emergency mental health care when the University Counseling Center is closed should call Drake Public Safety at 515-271-2222 or 911.

All off-campus treatment is the financial responsibility of the student; however, the Crisis Observation Center is free of charge.

• The Crisis Observation Center provides observation and assessment to students who do not require a hospital level of care. The goals of the Crisis Observation Center are to decrease the individual’s crisis, to prevent unnecessary ER visits or hospitalizations, and to return the individual to their home or community setting. The COC is located at 1420 Mulberry Street, Des Moines, IA, at the west entrance, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: 515-564-5742. The COC services are of no cost.
• Lutheran Hospital is a local center for inpatient psychiatric services located at 415 S. 25th Street, Des Moines, IA. To access psychiatric services call the 24-hour hotline at 515-263-5249.
• Mercy Hospital is a local hospital with a variety of services located at 1111 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA. Access to treatment for mental health illness or substance abuse is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the Mercy Help Center at 515-271-6111 or toll-free at 800-595-4959.

Other Resources

• The Guardian mobile phone app is available as a free download for all Drake University students, faculty, and staff. The app enhances safety on campus through real-time, interactive features that create a virtual safety network of friends, family, and Drake’s Department of Public Safety.
• Additional resources are available from the Department of Public Safety site.