Mental health help near you — same-day and urgent support
If you are in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) — available 24/7. For non-emergency care, free and low-cost counseling is available at community mental health centers, FQHCs, and online. Many offer same-day or next-day telehealth appointments.
Fastest options first
Call or text 988 from anywhere in the US. Available 24/7. Connects you to a trained counselor immediately. Chat also available at 988lifeline.org.
Text HOME to 741741. Free, confidential, 24/7. A trained crisis counselor responds within minutes.
Free or sliding-scale mental health services. Many offer same-day or next-day appointments, telehealth, and walk-in crisis services.
Many Federally Qualified Health Centers have behavioral health providers on-site. No insurance required, fees on a sliding scale.
Walk-in mental health urgent care for people experiencing acute symptoms who do not need full hospitalization.
What you may need to bring
- Photo ID (helpful but not required in a crisis)
- Insurance card if you have one
- List of current medications
- Brief description of what you are experiencing (you can write it down if easier)
- Emergency contact information
What to expect
At a community mental health center, you will typically complete an intake assessment to determine the level of care you need. This can take 30–90 minutes. From there, you may be connected to a counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, or crisis team depending on your needs. Most community programs offer ongoing care at low or no cost. If you are in crisis, you may be seen same-day.
Find local resources near you
Enter your ZIP code on the search page to see verified local options sorted by distance and availability.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I do if I am in a mental health crisis right now?
- Call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) — available 24/7 nationwide. You can also text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Mobile crisis teams are also available in many cities and can come to you.
- Where can I get free therapy or counseling?
- Community mental health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and some nonprofit organizations offer free or sliding-scale therapy. Search ClearHelp by ZIP code. Open Path Collective also offers sessions for $30–$80 for those who qualify.
- How do I get same-day mental health help?
- Call a community mental health center and ask about same-day crisis appointments or walk-in hours. Many centers reserve slots for urgent cases. You can also call 988 for immediate support while waiting for an appointment.
- Do I need insurance for mental health care?
- No. Community mental health centers and FQHCs provide care regardless of insurance status. Fees are on a sliding scale based on income. In a true crisis, you will be seen regardless of your ability to pay.
- What is the difference between a therapist, counselor, and psychiatrist?
- A therapist or counselor provides talk therapy to help you manage emotions and mental health challenges. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. For most people, starting with a therapist or counselor is the right first step. An FQHC or community mental health center can help you figure out which type of provider you need.
Data sources: 211 networks, nonprofit registries, government databases, and community-verified listings. Resources are reviewed for accuracy. Learn about our data.