A mental health crisis can look different for everyone. It might be a moment when thoughts of suicide or self-harm become overwhelming. It might be a panic attack that won't stop, a psychotic episode, or a point where someone simply cannot keep themselves safe without help. Whatever the shape of the crisis, one thing is true: you don't have to face it alone, and help is available right now.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. This is always the right call when there is an imminent risk of harm to self or others. Emergency responders in Johnson County are trained to respond to mental health emergencies, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) Emergency Department — located at 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City — provides 24-hour psychiatric emergency services.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988 from anywhere in the United States to reach a trained crisis counselor. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org. This line is free, confidential, and available to anyone — not just people who are suicidal. If you are overwhelmed, frightened, or don't know what to do next, 988 is a good place to start.
The Crisis Text Line offers another option for people who find it easier to communicate by text. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor via text message. This service is free, confidential, and available around the clock. It can be especially helpful for young people or anyone in a situation where a phone call isn't possible.
Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) at UIHC provides outpatient mental health services and crisis stabilization for adults in the Iowa City area. Their team can help connect people to appropriate levels of care, including inpatient hospitalization when needed. You can reach UIHC Psychiatry at (319) 356-1354 during business hours. For after-hours psychiatric emergencies, the UIHC Emergency Department remains the primary resource.
Foundation 2 Crisis Services is a local Iowa City organization that has provided crisis support to the community for decades. They operate a 24-hour crisis line at (319) 351-0140, serving Johnson County and surrounding areas. Foundation 2 also offers in-person crisis intervention, mobile outreach, and follow-up support. Their services are free and available to anyone in crisis, regardless of insurance status.
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank operates the Iowa Warm Line at 1-844-775-9276
a peer support line for people who are struggling but not in immediate crisis. The Warm Line is staffed by trained volunteers with lived experience of mental health challenges. It's a good option when you need someone to talk to but don't feel you need emergency intervention.
For children and adolescents, the Iowa Children's Mental Health Crisis Line is available at 1-855-581-8111. This line connects families to crisis counselors who specialize in youth mental health and can help coordinate care, including mobile crisis response when appropriate.
Veterans in crisis can call or text 988 and then press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, which is staffed by responders with specific training in veteran mental health. The Veterans Crisis Line also offers a chat option at veteranscrisisline.net. This service is available to all veterans, service members, and their families — including those who are not enrolled in VA care.
If you are supporting someone else through a crisis, your own wellbeing matters too. Crisis situations are exhausting and frightening for everyone involved. After the immediate situation has stabilized, consider reaching out to a therapist or counselor to process what you've been through. Ongoing therapy — not just crisis intervention — is one of the most effective ways to build the resilience and coping skills that help prevent future crises.
If you are not currently in crisis but are concerned about your mental health, I encourage you to reach out before things become urgent. Early support is almost always easier than crisis intervention. You can contact me through this site to learn more about therapy services available in Iowa City and via telehealth throughout Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, and Florida.