NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Mental Health: Services
Many people search “NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene mental health” when they need one of five things: crisis support now, a therapist or clinic, help for a loved one, mobile crisis services, or a low-cost mental health service in one of the five boroughs.
This guide explains the official New York City routes in plain language: NYC 988, 311, the NYC Health Department mental health pages, mobile crisis teams, crisis respite centers, children and youth services, pregnancy and postpartum support, older adult support, service finder tools, and low-cost care options. This page is independent and does not replace NYC.gov, NYC 988, NYC Health, or emergency services.
Quick answer: NYC mental health help depends on urgency
For emotional support, suicide prevention, substance use support, crisis counseling, mobile crisis team access, and referrals, start with NYC 988. For immediate danger or urgent medical attention, call 911. For non-emergency city services and Health Department complaints, use 311. For ongoing therapy, outpatient care, care management, peer support, housing support, substance use services, or community programs, use the NYC 988 Find Services database and official city access guides.
| What you need | Best route | What to say or prepare | Important warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| I need to talk to someone now | Call or text 988, or chat online | Say what is happening, where you are, and whether you feel safe right now. | If there is immediate danger or urgent medical need, call 911. |
| I am worried about a family member or friend | NYC 988; ask about safety planning or mobile crisis team options | Name, age, location, behavior, risk, whether weapons are present, and whether the person may accept help. | Do not put yourself in danger; call 911 if safety is immediate. |
| I need a mobile crisis team | Call 988; providers may use the NYC 988 MCT referral route | Location, contact person, symptoms, risk, substance use concerns, language needs, access instructions. | Mobile crisis is not the same as police/fire/EMS emergency response. |
| I need a therapist or clinic | NYC 988 Find Services, insurance plan, NYC Care, NYC Health + Hospitals, community clinic | Borough, language, insurance, age, issue, appointment preference, in-person/telehealth need. | Private-practice therapists may not all appear in NYC 988 Find Services. |
| I need low-cost or no-insurance mental health care | NYC Care, NYC Health + Hospitals, community health centers, NYC 988 referrals | Insurance status, income question, immigration concern, preferred borough, language needs. | Ask about sliding scale, no-cost services, and eligibility before scheduling. |
| I need help for a child or teen | NYC 988, school counselor/social worker, NYC child/adolescent mental health service pages | Age, school, borough, safety risk, symptoms, consent, insurance, language, caregiver contact. | If the child is in immediate danger, call 911. |
| I need pregnancy or postpartum mental health help | NYC 988, OB/GYN, pediatric provider, postpartum support guides, NYC Health pages | Pregnancy/postpartum stage, symptoms, sleep, safety, intrusive thoughts, support system, insurance. | Urgent safety concerns require immediate medical or emergency help. |
| I need substance use and mental health support | NYC 988, Find Services, Health + Hospitals, NYC Care, provider referrals | Substance involved, withdrawal risk, overdose risk, current medications, safety, preferred treatment type. | For overdose or severe withdrawal, seek emergency medical help. |
Use 988 for emotional crisis, suicide concerns, mental health support, substance use support, and service referrals. Use 911 for immediate danger. Use 311 for non-emergency NYC government services. Use NYC 988 Find Services when you are ready to search for ongoing care.
NYC mental health route finder: 988, 911, 311, clinic, mobile crisis or respite?
This quick router helps you decide which official NYC mental health service door to use before you call, text, chat, search, or visit.
NYC mental health service router
Select your situation. The answer below shows the safest next step and what to prepare.
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene mental health phone numbers: 988, 311, 911 and office contact
For mental health support in New York City, the most important number is 988. For city government non-emergency services, use 311. For immediate danger or urgent medical attention, use 911. The NYC Health Department’s general complaint and information routing often goes through 311 rather than a single public mental health clinic phone line.
Call or text 988
Free, confidential mental health and substance use support. Phone support is available 24/7.
Open NYC 988Call 911
Use for immediate danger, urgent medical attention, violence, overdose, serious injury, or life-threatening risk.
Safety noteCall 311
Use for non-emergency NYC government services, Health Department complaints, and city service routing.
Open 311Gotham Center
42-09 28th Street, Long Island City. Not a walk-in therapy or crisis clinic.
See mapCall script for 988
Say: “I am in New York City. I need help with [anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, panic, substance use, family crisis, housing stress, grief, postpartum mood, teen crisis, or finding care]. I am in [borough]. I need [support now, a referral, mobile crisis guidance, or help for someone else].”
NYC 988 phone support is designed for many languages. If you need interpretation, say your language clearly at the beginning. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and need relay service, use 711 and then 988 when appropriate.
NYC mental health crisis support: when to use 988 versus 911
NYC 988 is for free, confidential mental health and substance use support, crisis counseling, information and referrals. It is a strong first step when someone is overwhelmed, panicking, grieving, depressed, anxious, using substances, worried about suicide, or trying to find care. But if there is immediate danger or someone needs urgent medical attention, call 911.
| Situation | Better first step | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, lonely, panicked, or unable to cope | Call/text/chat 988 | A counselor can listen, de-escalate, and help with next steps or referrals. |
| Thinking about suicide but able to talk or text | Call/text/chat 988; call 911 if immediate danger | 988 is built for crisis counseling and safety planning. |
| Someone has a weapon, is violent, is seriously injured, overdosing, unconscious, or needs urgent medical care | Call 911 | This is immediate safety or emergency medical response. |
| Family member is acting strangely, isolating, refusing care, or getting worse | Call 988 and ask about options, including mobile crisis | 988 can help assess risk and discuss appropriate support. |
| Need a place to stabilize outside a hospital | Ask 988 or review crisis respite options | Crisis respite centers may be appropriate for some adults anticipating or experiencing crisis. |
If someone is in immediate danger, has a medical emergency, may harm themselves or others right now, has overdosed, cannot breathe, is unconscious, or has serious injury, call 911. Do not wait for an online form or directory search.
NYC mobile crisis teams: referral, family help and provider pathway
Mobile Crisis Teams are one option for a person experiencing, or at risk of, a behavioral health crisis. NYC 988 is the single point of access for mobile crisis team services in New York City. A team may include mental health professionals and peer support staff and may engage, assess, de-escalate and connect the person to appropriate services.
Call 988 if you are not sure whether a mobile crisis team is appropriate
Explain what is happening, where the person is, whether the person is willing to speak, whether there is immediate danger, whether weapons are present, and whether the person has a mental health provider or case manager.
Prepare details before calling for someone else
Write down name, age, borough, exact location, phone number, language, diagnosis if known, medications if known, recent hospitalization, substance use concerns, threats, self-harm concerns, and whether the person can safely be approached.
If you need police, fire, ambulance, overdose response, medical stabilization, or immediate protection, call 911. If you need behavioral health guidance and crisis triage, call 988.
NYC crisis respite centers: short-term support outside a hospital setting
Crisis Respite Centers serve some adults who anticipate or are experiencing a mental health crisis and provide a short-term, supportive, home-like environment. NYC Health pages describe crisis respite centers as operated by community partners, and NYC 988 also explains crisis respite as a 24/7 peer and professional support option for eligible situations.
Short-term stabilization
Can be useful when someone needs support, peer connection, planning, and a lower-intensity alternative to hospitalization if clinically appropriate.
Immediate danger
Not a substitute for 911, emergency medical care, inpatient care, detox emergency, or immediate safety response.
Ask 988 or the official crisis respite route about eligibility, bed availability, age range, referral form, location, walk-in rules, belongings, medications, support needs, and whether the person can come voluntarily.
Find NYC mental health services: therapy, clinics, peer support, housing, legal and community services
NYC 988 Find Services is the main official search tool for many behavioral health and substance use services in the five boroughs. It can help users search for crisis, housing, inpatient care, outpatient care, legal, social, community and substance use services. It is not a complete private-practice therapist directory.
| Search need | Useful keywords | Filters or details to check |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient therapy or clinic | outpatient, mental health clinic, counseling, therapy | Borough, age, language, insurance, in-person/telehealth, intake hours |
| Substance use treatment | substance use, addiction, medication, opioid, detox, recovery | Insurance, walk-in intake, medication services, level of care, crisis risk |
| Housing and mental health support | housing, supportive housing, shelter, case management | Eligibility, referral requirements, borough, documentation, care manager |
| Peer support or clubhouse | peer, clubhouse, recovery, social support | Membership rules, hours, referral, age, borough, community activities |
| Legal or social support | legal, benefits, food, immigration, family, social services | Free/low-cost, language, eligibility, appointment type, documentation |
Search by the problem and the support type: “anxiety outpatient Brooklyn,” “substance use medication Bronx,” “peer support Queens,” “housing mental health Manhattan,” or “Spanish therapy Staten Island.” Then call to confirm eligibility and appointment availability.
Low-cost and no-insurance mental health care in NYC
NYC’s mental health access guidance says low or no-cost services are available in many languages across the city, regardless of insurance coverage, age, immigration status, or ability to pay. For ongoing medical, mental health and substance use care through NYC Health + Hospitals, uninsured New Yorkers may also explore NYC Care.
NYC Care
For New Yorkers who cannot afford or do not qualify for health insurance, NYC Care can connect people to NYC Health + Hospitals services.
Open NYC CareNYC 988
Ask a 988 counselor for mental health or substance use service referrals that match your borough, insurance and language.
Contact 988Plan or advocacy help
If insurance denies mental health or substance use care, ask your plan, provider, or official advocacy resources for next steps.
Access guideWhen calling a clinic, say: “I need mental health care and I am worried about cost. Do you accept my insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, NYC Care, sliding scale, or no-cost services? What will the intake cost?”
NYC child, adolescent, teen and student mental health services
New York City has free and low-cost mental health services for children and adolescents, but the right route depends on age, safety, school connection, family consent, insurance, borough, and urgency. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need mental health crisis support or a referral, call or text 988.
For a school-age child, start with the school support team
Ask the Parent Coordinator, school social worker, guidance counselor, or school nurse what mental health supports are available and whether a referral is needed. Also ask whether urgent concerns should go through 988, 911, or a school crisis protocol.
Prepare the right details before requesting care
Have the child’s age, borough, school, symptoms, safety concerns, insurance, language needs, caregiver contact, consent issues, medication list if any, and whether the child is already connected to a therapist, doctor, ACS, shelter, foster care, or hospital.
If a teen is afraid to speak in front of family, ask 988 or the provider how confidential support works. If there is immediate risk of self-harm or harm to others, use emergency help right away.
NYC pregnancy, postpartum depression and anxiety mental health support
Depression and anxiety during or after pregnancy are common and treatable. NYC Health pages explain that postpartum depression and anxiety can affect people after birth, and help is available. Do not wait if the person has thoughts of self-harm, harming the baby, severe confusion, psychosis-like symptoms, inability to sleep for days, or immediate safety concerns.
OB/GYN or pediatrician
Tell the provider about mood, anxiety, sleep, intrusive thoughts, panic, fear, or inability to function.
988 or 911
Use 988 for support and safety planning; use 911 for immediate danger or urgent medical attention.
Referral help
Ask for therapy, psychiatry, support groups, social work, home visiting, insurance or NYC Care support.
If someone may harm themselves or the baby, is hearing or seeing things others do not, is extremely confused, cannot sleep for days, or is acting dangerously, get emergency help immediately.
NYC older adult mental health support: depression, isolation, grief and caregiver stress
Older adults may need mental health support for depression, grief, isolation, anxiety, memory concerns, caregiver stress, medical illness, housing stress, falls, loss, or medication changes. NYC Health’s healthy aging resources point older adults with depression or other mental health concerns to 988 for support.
| Concern | What to ask | Possible route |
|---|---|---|
| Depression, grief or loneliness | “Can I speak with someone and get a referral for older adult mental health support?” | 988, primary care provider, NYC Aging programs, clinic referral |
| Memory or confusion concerns | “Should we start with primary care, neurology, mental health, or emergency evaluation?” | Primary care, emergency care if sudden, 988 for support, caregiver resources |
| Caregiver burnout | “Are there caregiver support groups, respite options, or case management referrals?” | 988, NYC Aging, provider social work, community organizations |
| Immediate safety risk | “Is there danger right now?” | 911 for immediate danger; 988 for crisis support and planning |
When calling for an older adult, have the person’s age, borough, current location, medical conditions, medication changes, confusion level, fall risk, safety risk, and emergency contact ready.
NYC mental health and substance use services: co-occurring support
NYC 988 provides mental health and substance use support, information and referrals. If a person needs help with alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, benzodiazepines, relapse, overdose risk, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, trauma, or family stress, call or text 988 and ask for the right level of care.
Substance use services
Search for outpatient, medication, recovery, peer support, detox, harm reduction, or co-occurring services.
Overdose or withdrawal danger
Call 911 for overdose, unconsciousness, severe withdrawal, seizures, serious injury, or medical emergency.
Family member help
988 can help family members think through safety, referral options, and how to approach a loved one.
“I need mental health and substance use support. The substance is _____. The person is in ____ borough. There is / is not immediate danger. I need referral options and safety guidance.”
NYC mental health services by borough: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island
NYC mental health access is citywide, but appointments, clinic availability, crisis response logistics, languages, transportation, and community programs often vary by borough. Search by borough and service type, then call to confirm intake rules.
Bronx mental health services
Search for outpatient clinics, peer support, youth programs, substance use care, crisis supports, and hospital-based care.
Brooklyn mental health services
Use borough and language filters; ask about intake, Medicaid, sliding scale, telehealth and waitlist.
Manhattan mental health services
Search by neighborhood and service type; confirm whether the office is a clinic, hospital program, or administrative site.
Queens mental health services
Ask about language services, transportation, interpreter support, appointment times and insurance acceptance.
Staten Island mental health services
Search early because some specialty services may have fewer nearby options or longer travel time.
NYC 988
Call, text or chat 988 from any borough for support, crisis counseling and referrals.
NYC Care
Ask about NYC Care and NYC Health + Hospitals if you need low-cost or no-insurance care.
911
Use emergency services when there is immediate safety or medical danger.
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene office map and visit warning
The NYC Health Department’s Gotham Center address is often listed as 42-09 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101. This is an administrative Health Department location, not the correct walk-in route for most mental health services, crisis counseling, therapy appointments or mobile crisis requests.
Do not go to Gotham Center for a mental health crisis. Use 988 for mental health support and referrals, 911 for immediate danger, NYC 988 Find Services for provider search, and 311 for non-emergency city service routing.
Official NYC mental health resources used in this guide
Use these official pages for current crisis support, mental health service search, mobile crisis team routing, crisis respite, children and youth support, pregnancy/postpartum guidance, older adult mental health information, low-cost care and Health Department contact information.
People also search for: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene mental health keywords
These are common Google and Bing search intents around NYC DOHMH mental health services. Use the matching route instead of opening random third-party pages.
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene mental health
Use the NYC Health Mental Health and Substance Use page plus NYC 988 for support and referrals.
Start hereNYC mental health hotline 988
Call or text 988, or use chat, for free confidential support and crisis counseling.
988 routeNYC mobile crisis team
Call 988 and ask about mobile crisis team options, or use the provider referral route when appropriate.
MCT routeNYC crisis respite centers
Review NYC 988 and NYC Health crisis respite pages for temporary supportive crisis settings.
Respite routeFind mental health services NYC
Use NYC 988 Find Services to search outpatient, substance use, housing, legal, social and community supports.
Service finderNYC child adolescent mental health services
Use NYC Health child/adolescent mental health pages, school support staff, and NYC 988.
Youth routeNYC postpartum depression help
Use NYC Health postpartum guidance, 988, OB/GYN, pediatric provider, and urgent help when safety is a concern.
Postpartum routeLow cost mental health services NYC
Use NYC access guides, NYC Care, NYC 988 referrals, Health + Hospitals and community providers.
Low-cost routeSafety, privacy and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It is not the official NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website, not NYC 988, not NYC.gov, not NYC Health + Hospitals, not NYC Care, not 311 and not an emergency service.
Do not send medical records, therapy notes, psychiatric history, Social Security numbers, ID documents, insurance cards, medications, diagnosis details, complaint evidence, or personal crisis information to an independent guide page. Use official secure portals, licensed providers, 988, 311 or 911 as appropriate.
Services, eligibility, phone rules, referral requirements, crisis team availability, respite capacity, clinic intake, insurance acceptance, and appointment times can change. Confirm final instructions with NYC 988, NYC Health, NYC.gov, NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Care, your insurance plan, or the service provider.
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Mental Health FAQs
What number should I call for NYC mental health support?
Call or text 988 for free, confidential mental health and substance use support in New York City. You can also use NYC 988 online chat. If there is immediate danger or urgent medical attention is needed, call 911.
Is NYC 988 the same as NYC Well?
NYC 988 replaced the older NYC Well branding as the city’s main connection to free, confidential mental health and substance use support, crisis counseling, information and referrals by phone, text and chat.
Does NYC 988 cost money or require insurance?
NYC 988 is described by the city as free and confidential support. Health insurance is not required. Depending on your phone or text plan, normal service charges may still apply.
When should I call 911 instead of 988?
Call 911 when someone is in immediate danger, needs urgent medical attention, has overdosed, is unconscious, cannot breathe, has serious injury, has a weapon, or may harm themselves or others right now. Use 988 for mental health support, crisis counseling and referrals when emergency response is not immediately required.
How do I request a NYC mobile crisis team?
Call 988 and explain the situation. NYC 988 is the single point of access for mobile crisis team services in New York City. Providers may also use the official mobile crisis team referral pathway when appropriate.
How do I find a therapist or mental health clinic in NYC?
Use NYC 988 Find Services, the city’s mental health services map, your insurance plan directory, NYC Care if you are uninsured, NYC Health + Hospitals, or a community health clinic. Search by borough, age, language, insurance, service type and appointment availability.
Can I get mental health care in NYC without insurance?
Yes. NYC mental health access guidance explains that low or no-cost services are available across the city, and NYC Care can help people who cannot afford or do not qualify for health insurance access NYC Health + Hospitals services.
Where can I find mental health help for a child or teen in NYC?
Start with NYC 988, NYC Health’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services page, and the child’s school support team such as a school social worker, guidance counselor or Parent Coordinator. Use 911 if the child is in immediate danger.
Does NYC have postpartum depression and anxiety support?
Yes. NYC Health has guidance for depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy. You can also call or text 988, speak with an OB/GYN, pediatric provider or clinic, and seek emergency help if there is immediate safety risk.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It does not provide crisis counseling, schedule therapy, operate NYC 988, file 311 reports, provide medical advice, or replace NYC.gov, NYC Health, NYC 988, NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Care, 311 or 911.