Emergency help for mental health or substance use disorders
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text or chat 988 to contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s private, free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
Contact the 988 Lifeline if you’re having:
- Thoughts of suicide.
- A mental health emergency.
- Concerns with substance use.
- Any other kind of emotional issues.
You can also contact the 988 Lifeline if you’re worried a loved one needs help with an emergency.
Veterans Crisis Line
If you're a veteran, call 988 and choose option 1 to get counseling. You can also text 838255. If need to go to a hospital, visit any Veterans Affairs or non-Veterans Affairs hospital for free emergency care.
Native and Strong Lifeline
If you're an American Indian or Alaska Native person, call 988 and choose option 4 to get counseling.
The Trevor Project
If you're a young LGBTQI+ person, call 866-488-7386 or text 678-678 to get counseling. Help is available 24 hours a day.
Washington Recovery Help Line
If you or a family member have a problem with substance use, call 866-789-1511. This help line is private, anonymous, and available 24 hours a day for people in Washington state. It can help with emergencies and refer you to other services.
Non-emergency help for mental health or substance use disorders
Medicare
Medicare covers certain services that help with treating and recovering from mental health and substance use disorders. Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services as Original Medicare.
Health Care Authority (Apple Health)
If you have Apple Health (Medicaid), this organization funds and oversees your mental health services.
Indian Health Service
Many tribes have their own programs for mental health and substance use disorders. On the IHS Healthcare Locator page, choose "Behavioral Health" under "Choose facility types" to find programs near you.
TRICARE
If you're an active duty, non-active duty, or retired military member, this program covers services for mental health and substance use disorders.
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Offers mental health services for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety and other needs. You can use some services even if you don't have VA coverage.
Other behavioral health resources
Involuntary Treatment Act
The Involuntary Treatment Act (RCW 71.05, including Ricky’s Law) helps when a person has a mental health or substance use emergency. This means they may harm themselves or others. An emergency may require professionals to help that person and those around them.
MentalHealth.Gov
Offers coping tips and resources.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. Its goal is to improve the lives of Americans with mental illnesses.
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health is the main federal agency for research on mental disorders.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) works to improve the behavioral health of Americans. It's part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.