Mental health departments provide community-based behavioral health services including counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric treatment, and substance abuse programs for individuals of all ages and income levels. These public agencies serve as the safety net for people who cannot access private mental health care.
There are 52 states with Mental Health Department locations across the United States. More than 20 percent of American adults experience a mental illness in any given year, and community mental health centers serve millions of the most vulnerable individuals who might otherwise have no access to treatment.
Mental Health Department in the United States
Browsing by state helps individuals, families, and healthcare providers find their local community mental health center, crisis line, or behavioral health office to access services for mental health and substance use concerns.
Common Services
- Individual and group mental health counseling and therapy
- Crisis intervention, mobile crisis response, and stabilization services
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Substance use disorder treatment and recovery support programs
Individuals in crisis should call or text 988 — the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — for immediate support. For ongoing mental health services, contact your local mental health department to schedule an intake assessment, which is typically the first step to accessing all available programs.
For official information, visit SAMHSA — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
About Mental Health Department
Community mental health centers are funded through a combination of Medicaid reimbursements, state block grants, county appropriations, and federal Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funds. Many operate on a sliding fee scale to ensure services are accessible regardless of ability to pay.
Common Services
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) for individuals with serious mental illness
- Children's mental health programs and family therapy services
- Peer support specialist programs and recovery coaching
- Housing support and residential treatment placement coordination
Individuals seeking mental health services should ask about sliding fee scales at intake — most public mental health centers adjust fees based on income and family size, and services cannot be denied solely due to inability to pay under federal law.
For official information, visit National Alliance on Mental Illness.