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Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741

¿Estás en una crisis? Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988 o envía un mensaje de texto con AYUDA al 741741

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Local Resources for Seeking Help / Encontrar Ayuda

January 13, 2021 – 7 min read

I'm here to talk, I'm here to listen.

If you or someone you know is looking for support, this information may help. 

 AFSP does not provide medical or crisis response services. AFSP does not endorse or recommend specific businesses or providers.

24/7 National Crisis Resources

If you, or someone you know, are ever in crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988

Si está usted preocupado por una persona que usted sabe que está pasando por una crisis o que piensa en suicidarse, llame al Nacional de Prevención del Suicido al 1-888-628-9454

  • Ayuda En Español: 1-888-628-9454 *Lifeline ofrece 24/7, servicios gratuitos en español, y no es necesario hablar inglés si usted necesita ayuda.
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889
  • Text: 988 (can text "DHOH" for Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
  • Anonymous Online Chat: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

NAMI HelpLine: 800-950-NAMI (6264)

Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860

Trevor Lifeline (for LGBTQ youth): 1-866-488-7386

Trevor Text: Text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200

Veterans and Service Members Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1

Veterans and Service Members Text Line: Text to 838255

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

In an emergency, such as a suicide attempt in progress, call 911

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No one's super all the time

Resources in the National Capital Area

Behavioral Health Care

George Mason University's Center for Psychological Services: Offers an Emotional Support Line, available 8:30am - 8:30pm at 703-215-1898 for free and confidential support as well as low-cost therapy sessions upon request.

***La Línea de Apoyo Emocional (703-914-3878) en español está disponible los 7 días de la semana de las 8 de la mañana a las 8 de la noche. La línea telefónica es gratuita, anónima y confidencial.

Inova Behavioral Health Services for Youth & Adults: Learn more about ways to access mental health care through Inova Behavioral Health Services, including the Kellar Center which provides behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and their families 

Children's National Psychology and Behavioral Health: Provides behavioral health services for children dealing with emotional, psychological or behavioral challenges, and their families.

Dominion Hospital: A free-standing mental health facility in Northern Virginia that provides inpatient and outpatient clinical services to children ages 5-12, adolescents ages 13-17, and adults ages 18+. 

Community Organizations

Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN): This coalition of community stakehoders across the region works together to save lives and share resources. Learn about SPAN and available resources.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Visit their website for additional Information for Mental Health Emergencies and free programming for individuals living with mental illness as well as their families and caregivers. Look up local resources available through affiliates, including NAMI Northern Virginia and NAMI Prince William in the national capital region.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Visit sprc.org to learn more about suicide prevention and access a broad array of resources and training programs.

Domestic Violence Resource Project: Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault can receive free and confidential services through the Domestic Violence Resource Project, with assistance in over 20 Asian/Pacific Islander languages. Visit dvrp.org or call the helpline at 202-833-2233

Asian American & Immigrant Services: Mental health services are available to Asian Americans and new immigrants through the Korean Community Center of Greater Washington. Learn more at http://www.kcscgw.org/

Second Story - Teens in Crisis: This organization offers a temporary safe haven for young people 13 to 17 years old in the DC metro area for up to three weeks at a time. Teens also receive crisis intervention-focused individual, group, and family counseling as well as help keeping up with their education. Complete a phone screening to determine eligibility via their 24/7 hotline 1-800-729-8336 or text "TeenHelp" to 855-11. Visit https://www.second-story.org/teens/ for more information.

Resources for Support Persons/Caregivers

PRS Family Peer Supports: Available in Spanish and English for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church at no cost. PRS Family Peer Support Partners (FPSPs) are trained parents and caregivers who use their personal experience to offer support for parents and caregivers of youth diagnosed with mental health conditions or substance use disorder. Learn more at https://prsinc.org/family-peer-supports/

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides resources specifically for family members and caregivers, terms referring to any person giving emotional, financial, or practical support to a person with a mental health condition. Learn more about these resources here, including support groups for family and caregivers. 

Formed Families Together: This not-for-profit organization provides various services for adoptive, foster, and kinship families. They offer free peer support groups for adoptive, foster, and kinship parents and caregivers.  

Embark Behavioral Health: Embark is hosting a free virtual parent support group for people in the DC metro area on Thursdays at noon. View their support group schedule here.

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D.C. Residents

  • Visit answersplease.dc.gov to search for local resources. Simply enter your zip code and key words describing what you are looking for. For example, “Mental Health” or “Mental Health Services”. 
  • Contact the ACCESS Helpline at 1-888-793-4357 to speak with a behavioral health professional who can help you navigate available services.
  • Contact the 24/7 Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS) at 202-481-1440, which provides on-site immediate help to children facing a behavioral or mental health crisis whether in the home, school or community. Services are geared toward children and youth 6-21 years of age.

Alternatives for Urgent Care

  • Call the 24/7 D.C. DBH Community Response Team (CRT) at 202-673-6495 for 24-hour services available to those experiencing psychiatric emergencies, trauma, or signs of mental health and substance use disorders. 
  • Call the ACCESS Helpline at 1-888-793-4357 to reach the mobile crisis service
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Virginia Residents

  • Visit 211virginia.org to search for local resources. Simply enter your zip code and key words describing what you are looking for. For example, “Mental Health” or “Mental Health Services”. 
  • Go to dbhds.virginia.gov for information about the resources available through the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health.
  • You can find information about your local Community Services Board (CSB) on the VA Department of Behavioral Health website and the Virginia Association of CSBs website. Find your nearest CSB here. CSBs provide services for those with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities. Services are available to local residents, providing care for those both with and without health insurance.

Alternatives for Urgent Care

In the case of a dangerous or life-threatening emergency, call 911. Let the dispatcher know you are calling for a mental health crisis and request a CIT-trained officer. 

Alexandria

Arlington

  • Call the 24/7 Arlington Emergency Services Line at 703-228-5160 (available to anyone living, working, or visiting Arlington)
  • Receive Same Day Access mental health services

Fairfax/Falls Church

  • The Merrifield Crisis Response Center operates 24/7 for behavioral health-related emergencies (must be residents of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church)
  • Fairfax Mobile Crisis Unit operates 8am to midnight for individuals in crisis who are unable or unwilling to seek medical care (must be residents of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church)

Loudoun

  • Call the 24/7 Loudoun Emergency Services Line at 703-777-0320 to reach the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

Prince William/Manassas

  • Call the 24/7 Prince William area Emergency Services Lines at 703-792-7800 (Mannassas) or 703-792-4900 (Woodbridge)

All Northern VA Localities

  • Visit the Community Regional Crisis Response (CR2) website to request information or call the 24/7 crisis line at 844-627-4747
  • Crisis services through REACH are available to individuals with developmental disability and co-occurring mental health condition(s) and/or significant challenging behaviors

Find a Mental Health Professional

Take a free screening for a check up from the neck up!

A mental health professional is someone who can help people get relief from mental health conditions, and find ways to improve mental wellness and resiliency. They may be a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychiatric nurse, or counselor with mental health training. While AFSP does not endorse or recommend specific professionals, there are a number of ways to find care:

  • Ask your doctor for a recommendation
  • Ask other survivors at support groups if they have had good experiences with any local mental health professionals
  • College students can visit on-campus counseling centers or health centers, even a guidance counselor
  • Contact the Department of Psychiatry at a local university or hospital
  • Visit and/or call the following:

You may also want to check out AFSP's website for additional general resources as well as information about mental health resources for underrepresented communities