Mental Health in Maryland

16 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 Maryland

Maryland circuit courts handle family law in each of its 24 jurisdictions, with magistrates hearing many child support and custody matters. The Child Support Administration operates under the Department of Human Services. Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring, Frederick, and Rockville anchor the population. Maryland Legal Aid and Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service provide civil legal representation.

16 Resources

1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Maryland) — Free

Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support 24/7. Maryland calls are routed to local crisis centers staffed by trained counselors who can help with suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, substance use crises, and mental health emergencies. Serves any Maryland resident of any age, with Spanish and other language support available. Counselors can provide coping strategies, safety planning, and warm handoffs to local services including mobile crisis teams in Maryland jurisdictions.

988 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Crisis Text Line — Free

Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling via text message. Trained volunteer crisis counselors are available around the clock for anyone in Maryland experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, relationship issues, or other mental health crises. Useful for those who cannot safely speak aloud or prefer text. Counselors help de-escalate and refer to local Maryland resources including mobile crisis and community behavioral health programs.

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

3. NAMI Maryland — Free

Statewide affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offering free peer support groups, family-to-family education classes, a helpline, and public awareness programs for Marylanders living with mental health conditions and their loved ones. Hosts local affiliates in multiple counties. No diagnosis or documentation is required to attend support groups or access referrals. Families and individuals can call or email to connect with nearby resources and trained peer specialists.

410-884-8691 · 10630 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Suite 205, Columbia, MD 21044 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. SAMHSA National Helpline — Free

Free, confidential 24/7 helpline from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration providing referrals to mental health and substance use treatment, support groups, and community-based organizations. Serves Maryland residents in English and Spanish with referrals to local providers based on ZIP code. Callers do not need insurance; the line can help identify Medicaid, sliding-scale, and free programs. No personal information is required beyond what is needed to find appropriate care.

1-800-662-4357 · National · 24/7 · Visit Website

5. Maryland Behavioral Health Administration — Free

State agency within the Maryland Department of Health overseeing the public behavioral health system including mental health and substance use services delivered through Core Service Agencies and Local Behavioral Health Authorities in all 24 jurisdictions. Maintains provider directories, sets policy, and oversees Medicaid behavioral health benefits. Individuals can contact their Local Core Service Agency for assessments and referrals; documentation of income or insurance may be needed for publicly funded services.

410-767-6500 · 55 Wade Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Maryland 2-1-1 - Behavioral Health — Free

Free statewide helpline connecting Marylanders to mental health resources, crisis services, substance use treatment, food, housing, and other social services. Trained specialists search a local database by ZIP code to refer callers to nearby programs, including crisis lines, walk-in centers, and community behavioral health providers. Available 24/7 by phone, text, or online chat. No insurance or documentation required; callers describe their situation and receive tailored referrals.

211 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Baltimore Crisis Response (BCRI) — Free

Baltimore City's 24/7 behavioral health crisis agency providing a crisis hotline, mobile crisis teams, a crisis stabilization unit, and residential crisis services. Responds to psychiatric emergencies, suicide risk, and substance use crises for Baltimore City residents regardless of insurance. Mobile teams meet individuals at home, work, or in the community. Walk-ins accepted at the stabilization unit; bring ID and any medication list if possible, though services are not denied for lack of documentation.

410-433-5175 · 5010 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212 · 24/7 · Visit Website

8. Sheppard Pratt Health System — Paid

Maryland's largest private nonprofit behavioral health system offering inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient therapy, partial hospitalization, substance use treatment, and specialty community programs across multiple campuses. Accepts most commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid; financial assistance may be available. Intake typically involves a phone assessment; bring photo ID, insurance card, and a list of current medications to the first appointment. Services include programs for children, adolescents, and adults.

410-938-3000 · 6501 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21204 · 24/7 emergency; outpatient Mon-Fri · Visit Website

9. EveryMind (Montgomery County) — Free

Montgomery County nonprofit providing crisis intervention, short-term counseling, suicide prevention programs, youth services, and community mental health support. Operates a 24/7 hotline and the Montgomery County Hotline, with services for uninsured and low-income residents on a sliding-scale or free basis. Call for intake screening; walk-in and outreach programs are also available. Bring photo ID and insurance card if available, though services are not denied for lack of documentation.

301-424-0656 · 11301 Rockville Pike, Kensington, MD 20895 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; crisis line 24/7 · Visit Website

10. Way Station Inc (Frederick) — Paid

Western Maryland behavioral health provider offering psychiatric rehabilitation, outpatient mental health, crisis services, supported employment, and supported housing in Frederick County and surrounding areas. Serves adults with serious mental illness; most services are funded through Maryland Medicaid and the public behavioral health system, with sliding-scale options for uninsured individuals. Intake is by phone; bring photo ID, insurance card, and a list of medications when possible.

301-662-0099 · 230 W Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

11. Upper Bay Counseling & Support Services — Paid

Community behavioral health center serving Cecil and Harford counties with outpatient mental health, substance use treatment, psychiatric services, and case management for children, adolescents, and adults. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance; sliding-scale options may be available for uninsured residents. Intake is by phone; bring photo ID, insurance card, and a medication list. Referrals from courts, schools, and other providers are also accepted for specialty programs.

410-996-5104 · 200 Booth St, Elkton, MD 21921 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Cornerstone Montgomery — Free

Montgomery County nonprofit providing psychiatric rehabilitation, supported employment, crisis stabilization, peer support, and supported housing for adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Most services are funded through Maryland Medicaid and the public behavioral health system, making them free or low-cost for eligible residents. Intake begins by phone; bring photo ID, insurance card, and any prior treatment records or discharge papers when possible.

301-762-7474 · 11141 Georgia Ave, Suite 306, Wheaton, MD 20902 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center (Howard County) — Free

24/7 behavioral health crisis hotline, walk-in crisis center, mobile crisis team, and emergency shelter serving Howard County residents in psychiatric, substance use, and suicidal crisis. Also provides homeless services and coordinates with law enforcement on behavioral health response. Walk-ins and callers are served regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Bring photo ID if available, though services are not denied for lack of documentation; counselors can help coordinate follow-up care.

410-531-6677 · 6700 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD 21044 · 24/7 · Visit Website

14. Mental Health Association of Maryland — Free

Statewide nonprofit advocating for mental health policy, providing public education, and connecting Marylanders to behavioral health resources. Operates programs for older adults, school-based mental health, and suicide prevention, and maintains resource directories searchable by location and need. Also offers Mental Health First Aid training for communities, schools, and workplaces. Callers can request referrals to local providers; no insurance or documentation required for advocacy and information services.

443-901-1550 · 1301 York Rd, Suite 505, Lutherville, MD 21093 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

15. On Our Own of Maryland — Free

Statewide peer-run mental health organization providing support groups, wellness centers, and recovery education designed and delivered by and for people with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges. Operates wellness and recovery centers across Maryland. No diagnosis, insurance, or formal referral is needed to attend groups or drop in. Center staff can also help connect Marylanders to local behavioral health services, housing, and benefits.

410-540-8226 · 7310 Ritchie Hwy, Suite 102, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

16. Prince George's County Behavioral Health Services — Free

County agency providing outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, crisis services, and community support for Prince George's County residents. Serves children, adolescents, and adults through clinics and mobile teams, with most services funded by Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, or the public behavioral health system. Intake is by phone; bring photo ID, insurance card, and any prior treatment records when possible. Sliding-scale options may be available for uninsured residents.

301-265-8400 · 9314 Piscataway Rd, Clinton, MD 20735 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · 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.