We realize that the past several weeks have been stressful to our students, faculty and staff, as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like to access mental health services, the following resources are available to you:
University Counseling Service (no walk-ins at this time) - Daytime/Weekdays: 202-806-6870; Crisis Line (After Hours & Weekends): 202-345-6709, Monday-Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. and 24/7 on weekends.
"Healthiest You" - the student telehealth mental health provider. Contact them at telehealth4students.com, or via phone at 855-870-5858
Optum - Optum has opened its Emotional-Support Help Line, providing access to specially trained mental health specialists to support people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress following the recent developments around COVID-19. Optum’s toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone.
Employee Assistance Program - Howard offers the LifeWorks Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, through MetLife – at no cost to you. Call 888-319-7819, log on to metlifeeap.lifeworks.com or download the LifeWorks app (username: metlifeeap, password: eap) to speak with a counselor. You can schedule an appointment anytime, anywhere – 24/7/365. The program includes up to 5 phone or video consultations with a licensed counselor per issue, per calendar year. Employees and their eligible family members can use the service to receive guidance and support for a variety of issues.
Learn more about the services offered by the EAP.
Additional Resources
The Howard University Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) - provides confidential advocacy, safety planning, referrals and support
Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library
501 W Street NW
Washington, DC 20059
Phone: (202) 836-1401
University Counseling Service - provides individual and group counseling, psychotherapy, crisis intervention and consultation for students.
CB Powell/School of Communications Building
6th and Bryant Streets, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20059
Phone: (202) 806-6870
Operation Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Walk-In Intake Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday (walk-in hours are temporarily suspended)
Crisis Line: (202) 345-6709 (after hours, weekends and holidays)
Medical services are available at:
Howard University Hospital
2041 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20060
Phone: (202) 865-1131
Students can also receive medical services at:
Howard University Student Health Center
2139 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20059
Phone: (202) 806-7540
*Rape Kits/Sexual Assault Nurse's Exams are available at:
Medstar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20010
Phone: (202) 877-7000
*Though based at Medstar, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners can also travel to other DC hospitals. Learn more about how to access a free sexual assault medical exam in DC.
Victims/survivors of sexual misconduct and sexual violence may contact the Howard University Department of Public Safety (DPS) and/or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in order to report such incidents to law enforcement.
The Howard University Department of Public Safety (DPS)
2244 10th Street, N.W., Suite 270
Washington, D.C. 20059
Phone: (202) 806-1100
Emergency Line: (202) 806-7777
The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
1620 V Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
Third District Main Phone: (202) 673-6815
Detectives Office Phone: (202) 673-6918
Emergency: 911
Off Campus Resources (Washington, DC)
- DC Rape Crisis Center (202-333-RAPE) – The designated sexual assault coalition for D.C., providing a 24- hour hotline, therapeutic services, individual and group counseling, and advocacy.
- DC Victim Hotline (844-4HELPDC/844-443-5732) – Provides free confidential, around-the-clock information and referrals for victims of ALL CRIME in the District of Columbia.
Local and National Resources
- Futures Without Violence has compiled a list of resources to help address the fact that people who are surviving violence in their relationships and families may be experiencing increased isolation and danger during the coronavirus pandemic. Visit the Futures Without Violence COVID-19 Resource Page to learn more.
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE and online at hotline.rainn.org in partnership with over 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country— including in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. You can contact RAINN for confidential support services and to identify a local service provider in your area. Visit rainn.org to learn more.
- The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) has compiled a list of additional resources. Visit nnedv.org to learn more.
International Resources