Crisis & Mental Health Resources

Knowing where to turn before you need it can make all the difference.

Whether you're in crisis right now or helping someone you love, these resources are here for you. I've organized them by jurisdiction and county, with a focus on the DC metro area. You'll also find national crisis lines at the top of the page.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

National Resources‍ →‍ ‍Washington, DC‍ → ‍ ‍Maryland‍ →‍ ‍Virginia →

National Crisis Resources

These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere in the country.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The national crisis line for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health distress, or substance use crisis, and for people who are worried about someone they love. Available in English and Spanish, with interpretation in over 240 languages.

  • Call or text: 988

  • Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat

  • For deaf/hard of hearing: Call 988 via videophone, or click "ASL Now" at 988lifeline.org

  • For veterans: Call 988 and press 1 (see Veterans Crisis Line below)

  • Website: 988lifeline.org

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Crisis Text Line

Free, confidential text-based crisis support available 24/7. Text with a trained crisis counselor. ‍ ‍

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Veterans Crisis Line

Free, confidential support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families. You do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits to reach this line.‍ ‍

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SAMHSA National Helpline

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free, confidential helpline for individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges. Connects callers to local treatment referrals and information.

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The Trevor Project

‍Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13 to 24). Available by phone, text, and chat.‍ ‍

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Trans Lifeline

A peer support hotline staffed by transgender people, for trans and questioning callers in crisis.‍ ‍

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NAMI HelpLine

The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free peer support, resource referrals, and information for people living with mental health conditions and their loved ones. This is not a crisis line. For emergencies, call or text 988.‍ ‍

  • Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) — Monday through Friday, 10am to 10pm ET

  • Text: NAMI to 741741 (24/7 crisis support via Crisis Text Line)

  • Website: nami.org/help

Community Resources Nationwide — Dial 211

Not a crisis line, but an essential connection point for social services, housing, food, utilities, and more. Available in DC, Maryland, and Virginia by simply dialing 211.‍ ‍

  • Call or text: 2-1-1

  • Available: 24/7; multiple languages; callers are not asked about immigration status

  • Website: 211.org

Washington, DC Crisis Resources

Crisis & Emergency Services‍ ‍

DC ACCESS HelpLine The primary entry point for DC's Department of Behavioral Health services. Staffed 24/7 by behavioral health professionals who can connect callers to immediate help, ongoing care, and mobile crisis response for adults and children.

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Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) DC's 24-hour emergency psychiatric services for adults 18 and older.

  • Call: 202-673-9319

  • Address: 1905 E Street SE, Building 14, Washington, DC 20003

  • Available: 24/7

  • Website: dbh.dc.gov

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Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS) On-site mental health crisis response for minors in DC.

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Mental Health & Social Services

‍ ‍DC Department of Behavioral Health — Adult Services Diagnostic and assessment services, counseling, medication management, intensive day treatment, and crisis/emergency services for DC residents.‍ ‍

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DC Department of Human Services — Homeless Services Emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and other services for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

  • DC Homeless Services Hotline: (202) 399-7093 or dial 311

  • Family Emergency Shelter Intake: Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, 64 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002. Open Monday through Thursday 8:30am to 4pm and Friday 8:30am to 12pm.

  • Website: dhs.dc.gov

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DC Victim Hotline Confidential support and referrals for victims of crime, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and other trauma. Available 24/7.

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DC Rape Crisis Hotline

  • Call: 202-333-7273

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DC Elder and Disabled Adult Abuse Hotline

  • Call: 202-541-3950

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211 DC Connect to food, housing, healthcare, childcare, and other essential services in the District.

  • Call or text: 2-1-1

  • Website: 211.org

Maryland Crisis Resources

Statewide Resources

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Maryland Crisis Hotline / 988 Calling or texting 988 in Maryland routes you to your nearest local crisis center. The Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline is available specifically for youth 24/7.

  • Call or text: 988 (all ages, 24/7)

  • Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-422-0009 — 24/7 — Online chat Monday through Friday 4pm to 9pm at help4mdyouth.org/chat

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

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NAMI Maryland Education, advocacy, and support for individuals and families affected by mental illness throughout the state. ‍

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211 Maryland Connect to food assistance, housing, utility help, mental health referrals, and more, statewide.

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Montgomery County‍ ‍

Montgomery County Crisis Center / EveryMind The county's 24/7 crisis line and crisis stabilization center, operated by EveryMind. Walk-ins are welcome at the Crisis Center location.‍ ‍

  • Crisis Line: 240-777-4000 (24/7)

  • Montgomery County Hotline (EveryMind): 301-738-2255

  • Mobile Crisis Teams: Dispatched 8am to midnight, 7 days a week, including holidays

  • Address: 1301 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

  • Website: every-mind.org

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Montgomery County Outpatient Adult Mental Health Program Outpatient services including individual and group therapy, case management, and psychiatric medication monitoring for low-income Montgomery County residents experiencing serious mental illness.

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NAMI Montgomery County Free mental health support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families in Montgomery County.‍ ‍

  • Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) — Monday through Friday, 10am to 10pm ET

  • Text NAMI to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support

  • Website: namimc.org

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Prince George's County

Prince George's County Mobile Response Team (MRT) 24/7 mental health crisis response dispatched directly to community locations. The team includes a mental health clinician and a peer support specialist with lived experience. Response within one hour or less.

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Prince George's County Crisis Response Hotline‍ ‍

  • Call: 301-429-2185

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Dyer Care Center A 24/7/365 walk-in emergency crisis facility for Prince George's County residents facing mental health and substance use challenges. Provides short-term, personalized services.‍ ‍

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Prince George's County Behavioral Health Outpatient Services Mental health and substance use counseling and treatment services for PG County residents.

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NAMI Prince George's County Peer support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness in PG County.

Virginia Crisis Resources

Statewide Resources

988 in Virginia Calling or texting 988 in Virginia routes you to your nearest local crisis center.‍ ‍

  • Call or text: 988 (24/7)

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

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CrisisLink (Virginia/Northern Virginia) 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline serving Northern Virginia and beyond.‍ ‍

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Virginia 211 Free, confidential connection to housing, food, healthcare, and other community resources, statewide.‍ ‍

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Virginia ACCESS HelpLine Connects callers to services provided by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

  • Call: 1-888-793-4357 (1-888-7WE-HELP)

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NAMI Virginia Statewide mental health support, education, and advocacy.‍ ‍

  • Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) — Monday through Friday, 10am to 10pm ET

  • Website: namivirginia.org

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NAMI Northern Virginia Serves over 2.3 million residents across Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church. Free, peer-led support groups, classes, and resources. ‍

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Arlington County

Arlington County Emergency Mental Health Services 24-hour crisis intervention for anyone living, working, or visiting Arlington. Services available by phone and in person.

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Arlington County Outpatient Mental Health Services Outpatient services for adults with mental health and/or substance use concerns.‍ ‍

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City of Alexandria‍ ‍

Alexandria 24-Hour Emergency Mental Health Services Emergency crisis intervention available by phone 24/7 and in person during business hours.‍ ‍

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Alexandria Adult Mental Health Outpatient Services Mental health services including telehealth and walk-in options for Alexandria residents.‍ ‍

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Fairfax County‍ ‍

Merrifield Center — Emergency & Crisis Services 24/7 emergency psychiatric services including walk-in access. Serves people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or developmental disabilities in acute distress.

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Fairfax County Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) On-scene mental health evaluation, treatment, and crisis intervention. Dispatched to individuals experiencing a mental health emergency who are unable or unwilling to seek care on their own.‍ ‍

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Fairfax County Community Services Board Counseling, medication management, crisis response, and other mental health services for all ages.

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Loudoun County‍ ‍

Loudoun County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Assessment Center Mental health evaluation, crisis intervention, stabilization, and resource connection for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use emergency.

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Loudoun County Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Services Outpatient services for Loudoun residents with mental health, substance use, or developmental/intellectual disability needs.‍ ‍

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Prince William County‍ ‍

Prince William County Emergency Services Division Crisis intervention, emergency psychiatric evaluations, and short-term outpatient treatment for county residents.

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Prince William County Adult Mental Health Services Mental health, substance use, developmental disability, and early intervention programs for Prince William County residents.

A Note on This Page‍ ‍

This resource list is maintained in good faith and updated as I become aware of changes, but contact information and service availability can shift. If you discover a number that's out of date or a resource that belongs here, please reach out to me at hello@emilylemketherapy.com.

If you are a current client and we have worked together on a safety plan, this page is meant to complement, not replace, the specific plan we built together.

‍ ‍In an emergency, always call 911.