Crisis Text Line

Mental Health · Maryland · 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.

Contact & Details

Address: Text-based — national

Hours: 24/7

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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.

More Mental Health in Maryland

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Maryland) — Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support 24/7. Maryland calls are routed to local crisis centers staffed by trained counselors
  • NAMI Maryland — Statewide affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offering free peer support groups, family-to-family education classes, a help
  • SAMHSA National Helpline — Free, confidential 24/7 helpline from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration providing referrals to mental health and
  • Maryland Behavioral Health Administration — State agency within the Maryland Department of Health overseeing the public behavioral health system including mental health and substance u
  • Maryland 2-1-1 - Behavioral Health — Free statewide helpline connecting Marylanders to mental health resources, crisis services, substance use treatment, food, housing, and othe
  • Baltimore Crisis Response (BCRI) — Baltimore City's 24/7 behavioral health crisis agency providing a crisis hotline, mobile crisis teams, a crisis stabilization unit, and resi

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.