Emergencies and After Hours Care

Penn State Altoona's Health and Wellness Center has a responsibility to assure that quality health and medical services are available at the Center during hours of operation and adequate services are accessible to students 24 hours a day through community resources.

In case of an emergency call campus police at 814-949-5222 or 911. The Penn State Altoona campus police officers are trained first responders on campus and will assist with crisis or medical emergency needs.

If the Health and Wellness Center is closed and you need immediate medical attention, you can visit any of the following care centers:

  • UPMC Altoona 
    24 hours 
    650 Howard Avenue 
    Altoona, PA 16601 
    814-889-2011
    Emergency Room: 814-889-3315
  • MedExpress 
    8 a.m.. - 8 p.m.., 7 days a week 
    300 E Plank Road 
    Altoona, PA 16602 
    814-946-3801
  • After Hours Nurse Advice Line
    Penn State Altoona students have access to an Advice Nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    855-869-2860

Emergency Counseling Assistance

If you are afraid that you will not be able to avoid hurting yourself or someone else, get help immediately.

  • Call 911,
  • Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 877-229-6400, or
  • Call the UPMC Community Crisis Center at 814-889-2141 or 1-800-540-4690

Students who are experiencing a psychological or emotional crisis often need immediate help and intervention. Some examples of serious crises include:

  • Suicidal or homicidal thoughts or impulses
  • Sexual or physical assault
  • Hearing voices or otherwise misperceiving reality
  • Overwhelming loss, such as a death in the family

If you are experiencing a serious mental health crisis, call or come to the Health and Wellness Center and make it clear that you are in crisis. Every effort will be made to respond as soon as possible. If you are receiving ongoing treatment at the office, you may ask to speak to your regular counselor.

If you need crisis intervention outside of our office hours, please call one of the phone numbers provided above or our Nursing Hotline (855-869-2860), the Meadows Psychiatric Center (1-800-641-7529), or Contact Altoona (814-946-9050).

Students may also make use of the Crisis Text Line. This service provides access to 24/7 crisis support via text messaging. Penn State has partnered with Crisis Text Line to provide an alternate medium - outside of phone-based and in-person services - to access crisis services. Crisis counselors are volunteers and are not therapists and do not diagnose or counsel the texter. They engage in active listening and help the person "find calm and create an action plan for themselves to continue to feel better". To use the Crisis Text Line, students need only send the text message "LIONS" to 741741. A live crisis counselor will receive the text and respond quickly to help manage the crisis.

Confidential Counseling and Support

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) | 814-949-5540

You may request an appointment with someone from the Health and Wellness Center on campus.

Blair County Family Services, Inc.
Crime Victim Support Services, including Rape Crisis and Domestic Abuse
814-944-3583 or 24 hour hotline at 800-500-2849 or 814-944-3585
Counseling, support, advocacy and assistance with Protection from Abuse orders.
Email at victimservices@familyservicesinc.net.