Oregon Health Authority – Behavioral Health

Mental Health · Oregon · Free

State agency that oversees publicly funded mental health and substance use services, licensing, and policy across Oregon's 36 counties. The Salem office handles system-level questions and provides referrals to local community mental health programs. Call 503-945-5763 weekdays or visit oregon.gov/oha/hsd/bhp for program directories, crisis numbers, and information about Oregon Health Plan behavioral health coverage.

Contact & Details

Address: 500 Summer St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Phone: 503-945-5763

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

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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 Oregon

Oregon circuit courts handle family law in each of its 27 judicial districts. The Division of Child Support operates under the Department of Justice. Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro are the largest metros. Legal Aid Services of Oregon is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid organization statewide.

More Mental Health in Oregon

  • NAMI Oregon — Statewide chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness providing free education, peer-led support groups, and advocacy for individuals
  • Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare — Large community mental health organization in the Portland metro area offering crisis response, outpatient counseling, medication management
  • White Bird Clinic – Eugene — Long-running Eugene nonprofit offering free mental health crisis intervention, counseling, and mobile crisis response serving Lane County re
  • Multnomah County Mental Health — Multnomah County's behavioral health division providing crisis intervention, outpatient treatment, and case management for residents of the
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Oregon — Free 24/7 national crisis line connecting Oregonians to trained counselors for support with suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or substa
  • Deschutes County Behavioral Health — Central Oregon's publicly funded mental health and substance use services for children, adults, and families in the Bend-Redmond area. Offer

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.