The Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center (UCC) compassionately addresses mental health concerns and provides valuable self-care tools to improve your overall well-being. 

Please visit Counseling & Services to get started with your first session and learn more about the services we provide. 

Our Location & Hours

Address:
Drake University Counseling Center
3116 Carpenter Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50311

Hours:
Monday through Thursday: 8:30am to 5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am to 3:00pm

Mental Health Emergencies

Counseling Services staff members are also available to clients on a walk-in basis on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-3pm, if needed. If you need a walk-in appointment, please call the center within 24 hours to ask about the walk-in times available or walk to the counseling center. If you need immediate assistance outside of the walk-in hours, please do not hesitate to contact us during the regular business hours.

Students who need emergency mental health during business hours should call the Student Counseling Center at (515) 271-3864, Drake Public Safety at (515) 271-2222, or utilize the resources below in the event there is limited availability to be seen immediately.

IMPORTANT: Email should not be used in emergencies.

After Hours Clinics, Hospitals and Pharmacies

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.

• Crisis Observation Center is intended to meet the needs of individuals who are experiencing an acute behavioral health stressor that impairs the individual’s capacity to cope with his/her normal activities of daily living. The goal of the Crisis Observation Center is to offer a place for individuals to seek crisis intervention services and stabilize them quickly so they can return to the community. The length of stay is up to 23 hours. Services offered include a nursing assessment, care/service coordination, crisis intervention therapy, and access to a psychiatric prescriber if needed. Staff include registered nurses, Master’s level psychothera-pists, psychiatric technicians, and care/service. These services are offered in a safe and supportive environment.  
  Crisis Observation Center – open 24/7.
  Broadlawns Hospital, West entrance, 1801 Hickman Rd, DM Phone: 515-282-5742

• Broadlawns Psychiatric Urgent Care Clinic: The Broadlawns Psychiatric Urgent Care will accept walk-in appointments for individuals 18 years of age or older who are experiencing an exacerbated mental health condition.  Services at the clinic include mental health assessments, medication management, therapeutic counseling and coordination of services for healthcare and basic needs. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
• Lutheran Hospital is a local center for inpatient psychiatric services. The location is 415 S. 25th Street, Des Moines, IA. To access psychiatric services call the 24-hour hotline: (515) 263-5249.
• Mercy Hospital is a local hospital with a variety of services. The location is 1111 6^th 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 (800) 595-4959.

 On Campus After Hours Care: 

• For matters related to sexual and interpersonal misconduct, please visit Drake’s Title IX Resources and Reporting for Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct. 
• Violence Intervention Partners (VIP) are a group of trained and certified students that support people who have experienced sexual assault, harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking. They are confidential peer support and are available 24/7 via their call and text hotline: 515-512-2972