Mental Health in Alabama

15 verified resources.

About Mental Health for Fathers

Mental health services in the US range from free crisis lines and public community mental health centers to private therapy and inpatient care. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline operates 24/7 nationwide and is free and confidential. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) connects callers with local treatment resources for mental health and substance use. Community Mental Health Centers exist in every state and serve people regardless of ability to pay, usually on sliding-scale fees. Medicaid covers mental health care in all states, and the ACA requires insurance plans to cover mental health at parity with medical care. Fathers are particularly at risk for undiagnosed depression, anxiety, and substance issues around separation and custody disputes — this directory surfaces crisis lines, low-cost therapy, support groups specifically for men, and state mental health authorities.

Mental Health in Alabama

Alabama family law runs through circuit courts in each of its 67 counties, with the Alabama Department of Human Resources handling child support enforcement. Major population centers include Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Huntsville. Fathers can access free family court help through the Alabama Access to Justice Commission and Legal Services Alabama.

15 Resources

1. NAMI Alabama — Free

Statewide mental health education, peer support groups, and advocacy for Alabama fathers and families affected by mental illness. NAMI Alabama runs free classes, family support meetings, and referrals. Dads can call the Montgomery office or email staff to connect with a local affiliate. Services are free; no referral required. Office on Wall Street open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm with evening support group schedules posted online.

334-396-4433 · 4122 Wall St #A, Montgomery, AL 36106 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Alabama Department of Mental Health — Free

State agency overseeing community mental health services, crisis intervention, and substance use programs for Alabama fathers and families. Dads can find local community mental health centers by region, access crisis resources, and learn about eligibility for state-funded services. Main office on Union Street in Montgomery open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; website links to regional providers statewide for walk-in and scheduled care.

334-242-3454 · 100 N Union St, Montgomery, AL 36130 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. JBS Mental Health Authority – Birmingham — Paid

Community mental health services for Birmingham-area fathers, including counseling, psychiatric care, crisis support, and case management. Dads can call to schedule intake; sliding-scale fees may apply based on income. Bring photo ID, insurance card if available, pay stubs or benefits documentation, and any prior records. Office at 950 22nd Street North open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; crisis services by phone after hours.

205-458-3200 · 950 22nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. WellStone Behavioral Health – Huntsville — Paid

Mental health counseling and substance use services for north Alabama fathers at the Memorial Parkway campus. Services include individual therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and recovery programs. Dads can call for intake; sliding-scale fees and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and any prior treatment records. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with scheduled appointments and crisis referrals available.

256-533-1970 · 2312 S Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, AL 35801 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Alabama — Free

Free 24/7 crisis support line for Alabama fathers experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or mental health emergencies. Trained counselors provide confidential phone and chat support, connect callers to local resources, and coordinate emergency response when needed. Dial 988 from any phone, anytime. Services are free and anonymous; interpreters available. Also accessible via online chat on the 988lifeline.org website.

988 · 24/7 · Visit Website

6. East Alabama Mental Health — Paid

Community mental health and substance use services for fathers in the Opelika-Auburn area at the Lambert Drive campus. Services include individual counseling, psychiatric care, crisis response, and group therapy. Dads can call to schedule intake; sliding-scale fees and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and relevant medical records. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with emergency crisis services after hours by phone.

334-742-2700 · 2506 Lambert Dr, Opelika, AL 36801 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Indian Rivers Behavioral Health – Tuscaloosa — Paid

Community behavioral health center providing crisis, outpatient, and psychiatric services for west Alabama fathers at the 7th Street location. Services include counseling, medication management, and crisis stabilization. Dads can call to schedule intake; sliding-scale fees and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and any prior records. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with 24/7 crisis phone support available.

205-391-3131 · 1915 7th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. South Central Alabama Mental Health — Paid

Community mental health services for fathers in Lowndes, Butler, and surrounding counties at the Greenville campus. Services include counseling, psychiatric evaluation, and crisis response. Dads can call to arrange intake; sliding-scale fees and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, proof of income, and any treatment history. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with after-hours crisis support by phone.

334-382-2218 · 901 Industrial School Rd, Greenville, AL 36037 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center — Paid

Mental health, crisis, and substance use services for fathers in the Florence-Muscle Shoals area at the Sheffield campus. Services include individual and group counseling, psychiatric care, and crisis intervention. Dads can call to schedule intake; sliding-scale fees and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, pay stubs, and any prior records. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with after-hours crisis phone support.

256-764-3431 · 1100 S Jackson Hwy, Sheffield, AL 35660 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Mountain Lakes Behavioral Healthcare – Guntersville — Paid

Community mental health and substance use services for fathers in Marshall County and surrounding areas at the Gunter Avenue campus. Services include counseling, psychiatric evaluation, and crisis support. Dads can call for intake; sliding-scale fees and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, pay stubs or benefits documentation, and any prior records. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with crisis phone support after hours.

256-582-4104 · 1127 Gunter Ave, Guntersville, AL 35976 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Cheaha Mental Health – Anniston — Paid

Mental health counseling and crisis services for fathers in Calhoun and Cleburne counties at the 17th Street Anniston location. Services include individual therapy, psychiatric care, and crisis response. Dads can call to schedule an intake appointment; sliding-scale fees and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, proof of income, and any prior records. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with crisis phone support available.

256-235-5113 · 216 E 17th St, Anniston, AL 36207 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

12. Gadsden Regional Medical Center – Behavioral Health — Paid

Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services for northeast Alabama fathers at the Goodyear Avenue hospital in Gadsden. Services include crisis stabilization, psychiatric evaluation, and inpatient treatment for acute mental health needs. Dads in crisis can visit the emergency department 24/7; outpatient services scheduled by phone. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and any prior records or medication lists for efficient intake.

256-494-4000 · 1007 Goodyear Ave, Gadsden, AL 35903 · 24/7 for emergencies · Visit Website

13. BetterHelp – Alabama — Paid

Online therapy platform connecting Alabama fathers with licensed counselors via video, phone, chat, or messaging from anywhere statewide. Dads sign up online, complete a brief assessment, and are matched with a therapist; weekly subscription fees apply, with financial aid available for qualifying applicants. Sessions are confidential and scheduled flexibly. Service is available 24/7 online for signup; therapist availability varies.

24/7 online · Visit Website

14. Children's Hospital of Alabama – Behavioral Health — Paid

Psychiatric and behavioral services for children and adolescents of Alabama fathers at the Birmingham campus on 7th Avenue South. Services include psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and medication management for pediatric mental health needs. Dads can call to schedule intake for their children; insurance and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and any prior records. Outpatient hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

205-638-9100 · 1600 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. Cahaba Center for Mental Health – Selma — Paid

Community mental health services for fathers in Dallas County and the surrounding Black Belt region at the Medical Center Parkway campus in Selma. Services include counseling, psychiatric care, and crisis response. Dads can call to schedule intake; sliding-scale fees and Medicaid accepted. Bring photo ID, insurance card, proof of income, and any prior records. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with crisis phone support.

334-875-2100 · 1017 Medical Center Pkwy, Selma, AL 36701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Mental Health — Common Questions

I'm in crisis right now — who do I call?
Dial or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24/7 nationwide. Veterans press 1. For non-crisis mental health support, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
How do I find a therapist I can afford?
Community Mental Health Centers (every state has them) charge on sliding-scale based on income. Medicaid covers therapy in all states. Private insurance must cover mental health at parity with medical care. Psychology Today's therapist finder lets you filter by insurance. Open Path Collective offers
0–$80 sessions.
Can therapy hurt my custody case?
Almost always no — judges view voluntarily-sought mental health treatment as responsible parenting. Therapists must keep sessions confidential (with narrow exceptions: child abuse disclosure, imminent self-harm). Court-ordered evaluations are different from voluntary therapy.
Is there support specifically for men?
Yes. Face It Foundation, HeadsUpGuys, Men's Sheds, and Man Therapy run men-focused programs. Many community mental health centers run men-only groups. Fatherhood programs often include peer support as part of their model.