Mental Health in Georgia

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 Georgia

Georgia superior courts hear divorce and custody in each of its 159 counties. The Division of Child Support Services under DHS handles enforcement. Atlanta anchors the state; Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and Athens round out major metros. Atlanta Legal Aid and Georgia Legal Services Program are the two primary civil legal aid organizations, with specific fathers' rights and child support help available.

15 Resources

1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free

Call or text 988 any time for free, confidential support during mental health or suicidal crises. Available 24/7 in Georgia and across the U.S. Trained counselors answer calls within seconds and can connect you with local crisis resources. Chat is also available at 988lifeline.org. For fathers dealing with depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm, this is the fastest way to get help without judgment. No cost, no insurance required.

988 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) — Free

Georgia's 24/7 crisis line staffed by licensed clinicians. Dispatches mobile crisis teams to all 159 counties and connects callers to available psychiatric beds, detox, and community services. Call 1-800-715-4225 any time. Especially useful for fathers dealing with acute mental health episodes, substance crises, or suicidal thoughts. GCAL coordinates with Georgia's community service boards to find same-day care when needed.

1-800-715-4225 · Statewide – mobile crisis response · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. Crisis Text Line — Free

Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling via text message. Available 24/7 for anyone dealing with stress, depression, trauma, or relationship crises. Trained crisis counselors respond within minutes. Ideal for fathers who prefer not to speak out loud about mental health struggles. Completely private and no cost. Operate nationwide including all Georgia counties. Visit crisistextline.org for more information or to chat online.

Text-based – national · 24/7 · Visit Website

4. NAMI Georgia — Free

Statewide mental health education, support groups, advocacy, and HelpLine based in Atlanta. Programs include NAMI Family Support Group, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, and NAMI Basics for parents. The HelpLine is available Mon–Fri 9am–5pm at 770-408-0625. Fathers dealing with depression, anxiety, or a family member's mental illness will find free resources and community here. Email info@namiga.org or visit namiga.org to find local affiliate chapters.

770-408-0625 · Statewide (Atlanta metro base) · HelpLine Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

5. NAMI DeKalb — Free

Local NAMI affiliate serving DeKalb County with free support groups, family education courses, and crisis navigation support. Programs include the NAMI Family Support Group, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, and NAMI Basics. Meetings are open to individuals living with mental illness and their family members. No cost to attend. Call 404-370-0156 or visit namidekalb.org for the current schedule. Located in the Decatur area.

404-370-0156 · PO Box 2180, Decatur, GA 30031 · Call for support group schedule · Visit Website

6. Fulton County Behavioral Health – Community Service Board — Paid

Sliding-scale outpatient mental health services for uninsured/underinsured adults in Fulton County. Accepts Medicaid, and fees are adjusted based on income for those without insurance. Services include individual therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and crisis intervention. Located at 137 Peachtree St SW in Atlanta. Call 404-730-1600 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm for an intake appointment. Fathers dealing with depression or anxiety are welcome.

404-730-1600 · 137 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

7. NAMI Helpline (National) — Free

Call or text the national NAMI HelpLine for mental health information, local referrals, and emotional support Monday through Friday 10am–10pm ET. Volunteers are trained to answer questions about mental health conditions, treatment options, and local resources. Text NAMI to 741741 for the crisis text line. Fathers seeking help for themselves or a family member can call 1-800-950-6264. Visit nami.org/help for chat options.

1-800-950-6264 · National · Mon–Fri 10am–10pm ET · Visit Website

8. View Point Health (Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton) — Paid

Community mental health services including outpatient counseling, crisis stabilization, and substance abuse treatment for adults in Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Newton counties. Accepts Medicaid and provides sliding-scale fees for uninsured clients. The 24/7 crisis line is staffed by licensed clinicians. Call 770-339-7290 or visit myviewpointhealth.org for intake. Bring insurance info, ID, and a summary of current symptoms or medications.

770-339-7290 · 175 Gwinnett Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; 24/7 crisis · Visit Website

9. Highland Rivers Behavioral Health — Paid

Community service board providing mental health and substance abuse services across 13 counties in northwest Georgia including Whitfield, Murray, Catoosa, and Gordon counties. Offers outpatient therapy, psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and addiction treatment. Accepts Medicaid and sliding-scale fees for uninsured clients. Main office in Dalton at 706-270-5000. Visit highlandrivers.org to find the office nearest to you in the region.

706-270-5000 · Dalton, GA 30720 (multiple locations) · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

10. Pathways Center – Columbus — Paid

Mental health center serving the Columbus and west-central Georgia area with outpatient counseling, crisis services, and case management. Accepts Medicaid and provides sliding-scale fees for uninsured patients. Services include individual and group therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and crisis stabilization. Call 706-596-5500 for intake. Located at 3133 Mercury Dr in Columbus. Fathers dealing with depression, anxiety, or trauma are encouraged to seek services here.

706-596-5500 · 3133 Mercury Dr, Columbus, GA 31906 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

11. River Edge Behavioral Health (Macon) — Paid

Central Georgia's community service board providing mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services to Bibb and surrounding counties. Accepts Medicaid and offers sliding-scale fees. Services include outpatient therapy, psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, and addiction treatment. The 24/7 crisis line is available by calling 478-803-7600. Located at 175 Emery Hwy in Macon. Visit river-edge.org for service locations and intake information.

478-803-7600 · 175 Emery Hwy, Macon, GA 31217 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; 24/7 crisis · Visit Website

12. Serenity Behavioral Health – Augusta — Paid

Community service board serving the Augusta-Richmond County area with outpatient mental health counseling and crisis services. Offers individual therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and addictions treatment. Accepts Medicaid and offers reduced fees for uninsured clients. Located at 3421 Mike Padgett Hwy in Augusta. Call 706-364-8811 for intake Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Crisis support is coordinated through the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225.

706-364-8811 · 3421 Mike Padgett Hwy, Augusta, GA 30906 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

13. Advantage Behavioral Health (Athens) — Paid

Community service board for Athens-Clarke and surrounding counties providing mental health and addiction recovery services. Offers outpatient therapy, psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, and crisis services. Accepts Medicaid and provides sliding-scale fees for uninsured clients. Located at 250 N Ave in Athens. Call 706-389-6000 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm for intake. For after-hours crisis support, call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225.

706-389-6000 · 250 N Ave, Athens, GA 30601 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

14. Open Path Collective – Georgia Therapists — Paid

National network offering affordable therapy sessions (

0–$80) with licensed therapists in Georgia. No insurance needed. One-time membership fee applies for clients, then you pay therapists directly at reduced rates. Find therapists specializing in depression, anxiety, divorce, and fatherhood stress. Available both in-person and via telehealth across Georgia. Visit openpathcollective.org to search for therapists by location and specialty.

Online and in-person across Georgia · Varies by therapist · Visit Website

15. Georgia Department of Behavioral Health – Provider Directory — Free

Official state directory to find licensed mental health providers, community service boards, and crisis programs across all 159 Georgia counties. Search by county, service type, or diagnosis. Includes outpatient providers, residential programs, and peer support organizations. Managed by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Visit dbhdd.georgia.gov to search the directory online or call 404-657-2252 for assistance.

404-657-2252 · Statewide directory · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

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.