
All students in the Duke University School of Medicine have access to a number of well-being, mental, physical and mindful services and resources. Find help or learn more about how to reach out.

For any life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or Duke Police at 919-684-2444.
- Advisory Dean pager # for emergencies: 919-970-7399
- Ombudsperson for SOM students via email Dr. Jean Spaulding or call office 919-668-3326
- Blue Devils Care: 24/7 mental telehealth support and scheduled counseling for students at no cost. Register online using your Duke email address and Service Key DUKE2020.
- Duke University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): call 919-660-1000, or call The Dean on Call: 984-287-0300 after hours (after 5pm)
- Gender Violence Intervention: confidential gender violence related support, call 984-569-0592 or email gvicoordinator@duke.edu.
- LGBTQ Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386
- Suicide and Crisis Line dial 998
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Hotline: 844-289-0879
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, select 1
- Office of Institutional Equity (OIE); OIE Liaison Program
- NC DHHS: Mental Health & Substance Abuse
- Blue Devils Care: 24/7 mental telehealth support and scheduled counseling for students at no cost. Register online using your Duke email address and Service Key DUKE2020.
- Duke University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): individual, couples, and group counseling, as well as psychiatric services available to all students at no cost. Call 919-660-1000 to schedule an appointment.
- DukeReach: case management services for students experiencing significant difficulties related to mental health, physical health, and/or psycho-social adjustment. Reach out if you are concerned about yourself or for another student. Call 919-681-2455 or email dukereach@duke.edu.
- Psychiatrist for medical students, Dr. Erikka Dzirasa: email Ruthie Roberts (ruthie.roberts@duke.edu) to schedule an appointment (for MD students only)
Individual Program Mental Health Support Contacts
- DPT (Call)
- Dr. Hoder (919) 681-8559
- MBS Program (Call/Text)
- Dr. Andolsek: (917) 684-1230
- MD Program (Page)
- Advisory Dean on call (919) 970-7399
- MSTP (Call)
- Andrea Liu: (919) 630-2615
- OTD (Call)
- Dr. Gallagher (919) 660-9827
- Path Assistant Program (Call)
- Michelle Johnson (804) 246-0183
- PA Program (Call)
- April Stouder (919) 360-5673
- Duke Student Health - On campus resources for doctor and dentist appointments, nutrition services, pharmacy access, physical therapy, and immunization compliance
- Duke Recreation & Physical Education - On campus group classes, rock climbing wall, pool, gym, intramural sports, outdoor adventure rental equipment, and facilities available for Duke students
- Durham Parks & Recs Facilities - Public parks, pools, rentals, and facilities available in Durham
- Parks & Trails in Durham - All Trails best outdoor hiking in Durham
- Duke Med Health and Fitness - Duke Health group workout classes, personal training, nutrition consultations, massage therapy resources availability at Duke
- Duke Gardens - On campus beautiful outdoor space
- Online Workout Streaming Services - Suggestions of different streaming services based on what types of workouts you like
- DuWell - On campus mindfulness activities and wellness resources
- Koru Mindfulness Classes - On campus Koru mindfulness classes
- Headspace Student Membership - Student rate for mindfulness app Headspace ($9.99/year)
- Journaling Prompts - Journal prompts for self-reflection and self-discovery
- How to Take a Mindful S.N.A.C.K. Moment- Tool for learning how to practice mindfulness when stressed
- NYT Best Mindfulness Apps - According to NYT Wirecutter, the best mindfulness apps are Headspace, Calm, and Healthy Minds.
- Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture
- Duke University Center for Multicultural Affairs: submit a bias incident here
- DUSOM Multicultural Resource Center: call 919-684-5882 or email Maureen Cullins (maureen.cullins@duke.edu)
- Duke University Center for Muslim Life
- Duke University Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity: in-group spaces and discussion groups, including Asian American/Pacific Islander Queers, Fluid: Bisexual/Pansexual, Gothic Queer Men’s Group, QTPOC, Trangout, The Ace Space, Queer Queens, Trans and Queer Christians
- International House at Duke
- Jewish Life at Duke
- Duke University Office for Institutional Equity (OIE): report discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual misconduct here. Contact the ombudsperson for SOM students, Jean Spaulding, MD, by calling 919-668-3326 or emailing ombudsman@mc.duke.edu
- Duke University Women’s Center: confidential gender violence related support. Fill out this form to request a referral to a counselor.
- Religious Life Student Groups
If you have trouble accessing CAPS, please reach out to Dr. Lisa Adams, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at lisa.adams3@duke.edu
I need meds for a previously diagnosed health condition
Does CAPS deem your mental health condition stable?
- If yes: CAPS will prescribe you meds if needed. These can be picked up at Duke Student pharmacy or a retail pharmacy. To minimize risks of error, it is best for one provider to prescribe medications. If there is an established care provider, CAPS recommends continuing medication care with them.
- If no: A CAPS Psychiatrist will treat you. Meds can be picked up from the Duke Student Pharmacy
I Want therapy through CAPS
- Call or drop in for CAPS Triage Visit (10 - 3)
- Future visits can be scheduled between 8 am - 7 pm on weekdays
- CAPS will provide brief treatment, generally lasting a semester or less
Note: The referral counselors will usually follow up with you to ensure that you find a therapist that works for you. If you find that the list of providers given to you is insufficient, they can generate another list.
I want CAPS to help me find therapy in Durham
- Call CAPS and select the referral option from the automated list. Reception will set up an appointment with one of CAPS's referral coordinators.
- The meeting will entail getting to know you and what you're looking for in a therapist. A list of providers will be sent to you after the meeting.
- Use the list to set up consultations with providers in Durham, and eventually start meeting with one of them regularly.
Note: The referral counselors will usually follow up with you to ensure that you find a therapist that works for you. If you find that the list of providers given to you is insufficient, they can generate another list.
Update from CAPS: