Crisis Information

If you are concerned for your own safety or the safety of others, please call 911. If you are in Polk County, the Polk County Mental Health Mobile Crisis Unit will respond.   

If there is an urgent but not life-threatening need outside of normal business hours and/or weekends-holidays, please call Polk County Crisis Services at 515-288-0818, or go to your local emergency room. You can also call the national suicide & crisis # 988.   

Crisis Services in Iowa 

 Your Life Iowa:  1-855-581-8111 (call) and 1-855-895-8398 (text) 

 Iowa Crisis Chat: 1-855-325-4296 and https://www.iowacrisischat.org/ 

 Iowa Warm Line:  1-844-775-WARM (9276)  

Crisis Services in Polk County, Iowa:  Crisis - Polk County Iowa 


For non-emergency mental health needs, visit behavioral health urgent care or contact the Resource & Referral Line at 515-288-0818. 

24-Hour Crisis Line: ((855) 581-8111) 


  • The 24-hour crisis line is available to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. All calls are free, confidential, and have a trained professional on the other end. 


23-Hour Crisis Observation: (1801 Hickman Rd) 


  • Crisis Observation is available to any adult over 18 years of age who is experiencing psychological or psychiatric stress that does not require hospitalization. 


Crisis Stabilization Residential Services for Children Under 18  

Residential Services are available at Easterseals Iowa’s Camp Sunnyside location for people under the age of 18 who are experiencing a mental health crisis less severe than requiring an inpatient hospitalization.  A parent or guardian must approve participation in these services which include a session with a therapist and work on an Action Plan every day for up to five days. Access these services through Mobile Crisis, Psychiatric Urgent Care, the Emergency Room, or by calling the 24-hour Polk County Resource and Referral Line at 515-288-0818. 


Crisis Stabilization Community Based Services for Children & Adults 

Community Based Services are available through Easterseals Iowa for anyone any age experiencing a mental health crisis less severe than needing inpatient hospitalization. Crisis Stabilization Services include a session with a therapist and work on an Action Plan every day for up to five days at home, school, work, or any private location in the community or via telehealth. A parent or guardian must approve participation in these services for all minors and people under guardianship. Access these services through Mobile Crisis, Psychiatric Urgent Care, the Emergency Room, or by calling the 24-hour Polk County Resource and Referral Line at  515-288-0818 


Psychiatric Urgent Care for Children & Adults  

Walk-in appointments for children and adults who need mental health services, including psychiatric evaluation and assessment, addiction medicine, crisis services and community resources. Patients under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian with them.  


UnityPoint Behavioral Health Urgent Care   Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, 1250 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50316   #(515) 263-2632 


Psychiatric Urgent Care for Adults Only  

Walk-in appointments for people 18 years of age or older who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The psychiatric Urgent Care is staffed with psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed therapists, nursing staff, service coordinators, and psychiatric technicians. Services include mental health assessment, medication management, counseling and service coordination for healthcare and basic needs. 


Broadlawns Psychiatric Urgent Care   Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm   1801 Hickman Road Des Moines, IA 50314 (Center Building, First Floor) 


Virtual Visits Available:  Call Broadlawns’ Psychiatric Urgent Care Clinic to schedule Crisis Services in Polk County, Iowa  (515) 282-5742 


23 Hour Crisis Observation Center for Adults 

The Crisis Observation Center (COC) is available for adults 18 years of age or older who are experiencing psychiatric/psychological stress which does not require hospitalization. The COC provides a safe, calm environment where people can meet with a nurse and a therapist, and get help to set up mental health appointments and services. The COC staff may also coordinate an assessment by a mental health medication provider, if appropriate. The length of stay is up to 23 hours. 


Broadlawns Crisis Observation Center:  is open 24/7   1801 Hickman Road Des Moines, IA 50314 [West Entrance] (515) 282-5742 


Clive Behavioral Health Intake and Assessment Department  Specially trained staff provide no-cost, confidential assessments and refer people to the appropriate level of care. Clive Behavioral Health Intake & Assessment Department is open 24/7 1450 NW 114th Street Clive, IA 50325 #844-680-0504 Adult Inpatient Program. Clive Behavioral Health’s adult inpatient program is designed to help people 18 years of age or older with a behavioral health disorder or co-occurring disorder achieve long-term stability. Dual diagnosis treatment for adults who are experiencing both behavioral health and drug/alcohol use is available.  


Child & Adolescent Inpatient Program 

Clive Behavioral Health’s child & adolescent inpatient program is designed to help kids with a behavioral health disorder or co-occurring disorder achieve long-term stability.  


Child & Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program  

A short-term treatment program helps children & teens ages 5-17 work through issues that cause emotional distress while helping them develop new coping skills to be used at home and at school. Licensed social workers and registered nurses provide programming under the direction of a psychiatry team. 


Emergency Departments  

If a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis: have a plan to act on their suicidal, homicidal or self-harm thoughts, & you feel as if the current environment is unsafe, utilize the emergency room. The emergency room is used to stabilize and transition a person to the next appropriate treatment option. 


Broadlawns Medical Center 
1801 Hickman Rd 
Des Moines, IA 50314 
Phone: 515-282-2200  


Clive Behavioral Health Hospital 
1450 NW 114th Street 
Clive, IA 50325 
Phone: 844-680-0504 


Iowa Lutheran Hospital 
700 East University Avenue 
Des Moines, IA 50316 
Phone: 515-263-5120 


Iowa Methodist Medical Center 
1200 Pleasant Street 
Des Moines, IA 50309 
Phone: 515-241-6213  


Methodist West Hospital 
1660 60th Street 
West Des Moines, IA 50266 
Phone: 515-343-1200 


MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center 
1111 6th Avenue 
Des Moines, IA 50314 
Phone: 515-247-3211 


MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center 
1755 59th Place 
West Des Moines, IA 50266 
Phone: 515-358-8280 


National Resources:  


Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 

9-8-8 (US only) or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 


SAMHSA National Hotline 

1-800-622-HELP (4357) 


National Eating Disorders Center Helpline 
1-800-931-2237 
Open M-F, 9-9pm 


Veterans Crisis Line 
1-800-273-8255 


YouthLine (Teen Crisis Line) 

1-877-968-8491 
Text: TEEN2TEEN to 839863 


National Institute on Drug Abuse Hotline 
1-800-662-4357 


Disaster Distress 24/7 Helpline 

1-800-985-5990 

Text: “TalkWithUs” to 66746 

DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov 


The National Domestic Violence Hotline 

1-800-799-7233 


The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ Youth) 

1-866-488-7386