Mental Health in Louisiana

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 Louisiana

Louisiana is the only US state based on civil law (Napoleonic Code) rather than common law. Family matters are heard in district courts, with most parishes having dedicated family sections. The Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement Services handles enforcement. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are the major cities. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provide civil legal aid.

15 Resources

1. NAMI Louisiana — Free

Mental health education, peer support groups, family programs, and advocacy for fathers and families across Louisiana. Services include the NAMI Family-to-Family course, Connection support groups, and help navigating the mental health system. Call 225-291-6264 weekdays or email info@namilouisiana.org. Main office at 3550 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge. Chapters in multiple cities offer local group schedules and referrals.

225-291-6264 · 3550 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Louisiana Department of Health – Behavioral Health — Free

State-administered mental health services, crisis intervention, and community behavioral health programs serving Louisiana fathers and families. Coordinates regional human services districts, Medicaid behavioral coverage, and publicly funded treatment. Call 225-342-9500 weekdays or visit ldh.la.gov for regional contacts. Useful for navigating Medicaid, uninsured access, and serious mental illness supports statewide.

225-342-9500 · 628 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Metropolitan Human Services District – NOLA — Paid

Community mental health and substance abuse services for adults and children in the greater New Orleans area, including fathers needing outpatient counseling, psychiatric care, or substance use treatment. Sliding fee scale and Medicaid accepted. Call 504-568-3130 or visit 3100 General DeGaulle Drive weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance card or Medicaid info, and any prior treatment records for intake.

504-568-3130 · 3100 General DeGaulle Dr, New Orleans, LA 70114 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Northwest Louisiana Human Services District — Paid

Publicly funded behavioral health services including outpatient mental health, substance abuse, and crisis response in the Shreveport and northwest Louisiana region. Serves uninsured, Medicaid, and sliding-scale clients including fathers. Call 318-632-5000 or visit 800 Texas Street in Shreveport weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance or Medicaid information, and any previous treatment records for intake screening.

318-632-5000 · 800 Texas St, Shreveport, LA 71101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

5. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Louisiana — Free

Free 24/7 crisis support hotline staffed by trained counselors for Louisiana fathers and family members experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional crisis, or mental health distress. Call or text 988 from anywhere in the state for immediate, confidential help and local referrals. Veterans can press 1. Chat support also available at 988lifeline.org. No insurance or intake paperwork required to call.

988 · 24/7 · Visit Website

6. VIA LINK – Crisis Line — Free

Free 24/7 crisis, information, and referral helpline serving southeast Louisiana including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and surrounding parishes. Trained specialists connect fathers and families to mental health support, food, housing, and emergency services. Dial 211 from any phone in Louisiana. Confidential, multilingual, and available to callers regardless of insurance or income status at any hour.

211 · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Acadiana Area Human Services District — Paid

Publicly funded mental health, addiction, and developmental disability services for fathers and families in the Lafayette and Acadiana region. Outpatient counseling, psychiatry, and crisis response available on sliding fee or Medicaid. Call 337-262-4190 or visit 302 Dulles Drive in Lafayette weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance or Medicaid information, and any prior treatment records for intake.

337-262-4190 · 302 Dulles Dr, Lafayette, LA 70506 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Northeast Delta Human Services Authority — Paid

Behavioral health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services for fathers and families in northeast Louisiana including the Monroe region. Outpatient counseling, psychiatric care, and crisis response on sliding fee or Medicaid. Call 318-362-3270 or visit 2513 Ferrand Street in Monroe weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance or Medicaid info, and any previous treatment records for intake.

318-362-3270 · 2513 Ferrand St, Monroe, LA 71201 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Catholic Charities of New Orleans – Counseling — Paid

Affordable individual, couples, and family counseling on a sliding fee scale for fathers and families in the greater New Orleans area, regardless of faith background. Licensed counselors address stress, anxiety, grief, and family challenges. Call 504-523-3755 or visit 1000 Howard Avenue Suite 200 weekdays. Bring photo ID and income documentation to set the sliding fee at intake.

504-523-3755 · 1000 Howard Ave #200, New Orleans, LA 70113 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans — Paid

Counseling and mental health support for fathers and families in the New Orleans area regardless of religious background. Services include individual, family, and couples therapy on sliding fee scale. Licensed clinicians serve adults and children. Call 504-831-8475 or visit 3300 W Esplanade Avenue South Suite 200 in Metairie weekdays. Bring photo ID and income documentation for sliding fee determination.

504-831-8475 · 3300 W Esplanade Ave S #200, Metairie, LA 70002 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge — Paid

Counseling, crisis intervention, and family support services for fathers and families in the Baton Rouge area. Offers individual, couples, and child therapy on sliding fee scale with Medicaid and private insurance accepted. Licensed clinicians serve adults and children. Call 225-924-0123 or visit 4727 Revere Avenue weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance information, and income documentation for sliding fee intake.

225-924-0123 · 4727 Revere Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. The Extra Mile – Baton Rouge — Free

24/7 regional helpline connecting Baton Rouge area fathers and families to mental health, addiction, and social service resources. Trained specialists assist with crisis support, referrals, and emotional care. Call 225-387-6155 any time. Office at 5615 Corporate Boulevard Suite 200. Confidential and open to callers regardless of insurance or income status. Useful starting point when unsure where to turn for help.

225-387-6155 · 5615 Corporate Blvd #200, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 · 24/7 hotline

13. NAMI New Orleans — Free

Local NAMI chapter offering free peer support groups, family education courses, and mental health advocacy for fathers and families in the greater New Orleans area. Provides NAMI Family-to-Family, Connection support groups, and system navigation help. Call 504-896-6264 weekdays for group schedules and orientation. Useful for fathers supporting loved ones with mental illness or managing their own mental health journey.

504-896-6264 · New Orleans, LA 70112 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

14. Children's Hospital New Orleans – Behavioral Health — Paid

Child and adolescent psychiatric and behavioral health services for Louisiana families including outpatient therapy, medication management, and crisis assessment. Serves children up to young adulthood. Call 504-899-9511 or visit 200 Henry Clay Avenue weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance card or Medicaid info, and any prior treatment records. Useful for fathers seeking specialized pediatric mental health care for their children.

504-899-9511 · 200 Henry Clay Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. Wellspring Alliance for Families — Paid

Mental health counseling, domestic violence support, and family services in the Shreveport and northwest Louisiana area. Serves fathers, partners, and children with individual and family therapy, safety planning, and advocacy on sliding fee scale. Call 318-865-2084 or visit 401 Travis Street weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance info, and income documentation for intake and fee determination.

318-865-2084 · 401 Travis St, Shreveport, LA 71101 · 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.