What do I do if I or someone I know is in a mental health crisis right now in Arizona?

Call or text 988 immediately to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Counselors are available 24/7 and can dispatch mobile crisis teams in many Arizona communities. If there is immediate danger to life, call 911. You can also go to the nearest emergency room for a psychiatric evaluation.

Can I get mental health treatment in Arizona if I don't have insurance?

Yes. First, check whether you qualify for AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program, at healthearizonaplus.gov — many low-income adults and families are eligible. If you do not qualify, 2-1-1 Arizona can refer you to community mental health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that offer sliding-scale fees based on your income, regardless of insurance status.

How does Arizona's Serious Mental Illness (SMI) designation work?

Arizona has a formal process to designate individuals as having a Serious Mental Illness (SMI), which unlocks a broader package of publicly funded behavioral health services beyond standard Medicaid coverage, including case management, supported housing assistance, and crisis respite. To start the process, contact your Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) — which varies by county — or call 2-1-1 Arizona and ask to be connected to SMI eligibility services.

Are there mental health resources specifically for children and teens in Arizona?

Yes. AHCCCS covers behavioral health services for children, including therapy and psychiatric care. Arizona also has a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) designation for children that can provide enhanced community-based services. The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) can connect families to behavioral health supports, and 2-1-1 Arizona can identify youth-specific counseling programs and school-based services in your area. The 988 Lifeline also has specialized support for young people.

Mental Health Resources in Arizona

Last updated September 29, 2026

Arizona residents facing mental health challenges have access to a range of services, from crisis intervention to ongoing counseling and community support. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, serious mental illness, or a psychiatric emergency, knowing where to turn first can make all the difference. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text and connects you to trained counselors who can also help identify next steps for ongoing care.

For non-emergency referrals, 2-1-1 Arizona is one of the most powerful tools available. By dialing 2-1-1 or visiting 211arizona.org, you can reach a specialist who will search a live database of local behavioral health providers, sliding-scale clinics, peer support programs, and substance use services in your county. This is especially useful in rural areas, where resources can be harder to find independently.

Arizona's Medicaid program, AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System), covers a broad range of mental health and substance use disorder services for eligible low-income residents, including therapy, psychiatric medication management, and crisis stabilization. If you or someone you support is uninsured or underinsured, checking AHCCCS eligibility is a critical first step before assuming care is out of reach.

Key programs in Arizona

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Immediate, free, and confidential support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Also connects callers to local follow-up resources and mobile crisis teams where available in Arizona.

How to access: Call or text 988 at any time, 24/7. Spanish-language support is available. Chat is available at 988lifeline.org. No insurance or ID is required.

AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System)

Arizona's Medicaid program, which covers mental health services including therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication, crisis services, and substance use treatment for income-eligible residents.

How to access: Apply online at healthearizonaplus.gov, by phone at 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587), or in person at your local Department of Economic Security (DES) office. Behavioral health services are delivered through Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs) assigned by geographic area.

2-1-1 Arizona

A free statewide helpline that connects residents to mental health providers, counseling, crisis programs, peer support, and substance use services. Specialists can filter results by location, insurance, language, and population served.

How to access: Dial 2-1-1 from any phone, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or search the database at 211arizona.org. Available 24/7; multilingual assistance offered.

VA Mental Health Services (for Veterans)

Comprehensive mental health care for eligible veterans, including treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma, and substance use disorders. Arizona is served by the Phoenix VA Health Care System and the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System.

How to access: Contact the Phoenix VA at 602-277-5551 or the Tucson VA at 520-792-1450. Veterans in crisis can also call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255. Eligibility is based on service history; apply at va.gov/health-care/apply.

Arizona Department of Health Services – Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS)

The state agency that oversees publicly funded mental health and substance use programs in Arizona, including community mental health centers, crisis services, and programs for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) and children with serious emotional disturbance (SED).

How to access: Visit azdhs.gov/behavioral-health to find licensed providers, understand your rights, or locate your Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA). For SMI eligibility determination, contact your local RBHA, which can be found through 2-1-1 Arizona or the DBHS website.

Mental Health Resources resources for Arizona

Arizona Youth and Family Services Inc

SAMHSA-listed mental health treatment facility.

Phoenix, Arizona602-277-4833

Mental Health Resources in Arizona

Key programs in Arizona

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System)

2-1-1 Arizona

VA Mental Health Services (for Veterans)

Arizona Department of Health Services – Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS)

Mental Health Resources resources for Arizona

Arizona Youth and Family Services Inc

Banner University Medicine — Behavioral Health Center

Choice Recovery Centers

Christian Family Care

Community Partners Integrated Hlthcare — CPIH Phoenix IC

Denova Collaborative Health — Integrated Health Center

Grossman and Grossman Ltd — Phoenix Office

Haven Behavioral Hospital of Phoenix

Mojave Complete Recovery

Native American Connections Inc — Outpatient Clinic

Purpose Healing Center

Recovia — Midtown

Southwest Behavioral and Health Servs — Methadone Maintenance/OP Clinic

Transitions Counseling and Consulting

Valle del Sol — South Phoenix

Valleywise Behavioral Health Center — Phoenix

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Find Support Today

NAMI HelpLine

Other resources in Arizona

Mental Health Resources in other states