PACS provides emergency services 24 hours per day, 7 days a week by calling (603) 862-2090 (Relay NH: 1-800-735-2964).
Urgent Same-Day Appointments
From Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., students may call PACS at (603) 862-2090 (Relay NH: 1-800-735-2964) and ask to be scheduled for an “Urgent Same-Day Appointment” or request to speak with the on-call clinician.
If the clinician is not available, they will typically return calls within the hour. Clinical staff responds immediately to “imminent danger” crises.
Students requesting an urgent visit are expected to accommodate the time offered for an appointment, e.g., by missing class, if necessary.
After-Hours Emergency Services
Students in crisis after 5 p.m. or on weekends may call (603) 862-2090 (Relay NH: 1-800-735-2964) and press 0 to speak with a counselor.
In-person evaluations after hours are conducted at Portsmouth Hospital in the ER by on-call clinicians from the Behavioral Health Unit. Students and/or their insurance companies are billed for these face-to-face evaluations. Students transported to the ER by ambulance will be financially responsible for those services.
Students may also dial 911 in the event of an after-hours emergency.
Crisis Consultation
PACS provides crisis consultation for students, staff, professionals, and faculty regarding difficult mental health situations with students. Please call and request to speak with the Clinician On-Call. If necessary, please let us know if your concern is urgent.
The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at UNH also provides assistance when student behavior suggests harm to self or others. Based on timely review, BIT makes referrals to appropriate resources and recommends appropriate actions to the Senior Vice-Provost for Student Life/Dean of Students (SVPSL/DOS). For additional information about the BIT (including behaviors that BIT will respond to) visit the BIT webpage. In cases of imminent threat, contact UNH Police (911) immediately.
What Is an Emergency?
A mental health emergency is an emotional or behavioral crisis that warrants same day attention by a mental health professional. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Significant changes in behavior that are not characteristic of that person
- The presence of disruptive symptoms that interfere with the responsibilities of daily living
- Direct or indirect expressions of the intent to harm self or others, and/or
- The experience of trauma
If you are feeling that you are a danger to yourself and/or others, visit PACS immediately or call (603) 862-2090 and dial 0 (Relay NH: 1-800-735-2964) to speak to a counselor if the center is physically closed. If you are not comfortable doing so, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or go to your local emergency room.
Emergency Numbers
- Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS):(603) 862-2090*
- Portsmouth Regional Hospital:(603) 433-5135*
- SHARPP (Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program: (603) 862-3494* (Relay NH 1-800-735-2964)
- Local Police Department: 911
