What if I need mental health help right now but don't have insurance?

Call or text 988 immediately for free, confidential crisis support — no insurance is required. For ongoing care without insurance, contact your county's Mental Health program (find it via 2-1-1 or dhs.pa.gov), as county-funded services are often available on a sliding-fee scale based on your ability to pay. You can also apply for Pennsylvania Medicaid at compass.state.pa.us, which can cover mental health services once approved.

How do I find a therapist or counselor near me in Pennsylvania who accepts Medicaid?

Start by calling 2-1-1 Pennsylvania, where specialists can give you a list of local providers accepting Medical Assistance. Your county's behavioral health office also maintains a network of contracted providers. Additionally, if you are enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan, you can call the member services number on your card and ask for a behavioral health provider directory for your area.

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

Yes. Pennsylvania's county Mental Health programs fund child and adolescent services including outpatient therapy, behavioral health rehabilitation services (BHRS), and school-based programs. Children and teens covered by Medicaid may also access a range of behavioral health services through their managed care plan. Contact your county's MH/ID office or call 2-1-1 to learn what child-specific services are available where you live.

What is the difference between a mental health crisis line and going to an emergency room?

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects you with a trained counselor by phone or text immediately, at no cost, and is designed to help stabilize a mental health or suicidal crisis through conversation and referrals — often without needing to leave home. Emergency rooms (ERs) provide in-person medical evaluation and can be essential if someone is in immediate physical danger, has made a suicide attempt, or needs involuntary psychiatric evaluation. Many Pennsylvania counties also have mobile crisis teams that can come to you as an alternative to the ER — ask 2-1-1 or your county mental health office whether a mobile crisis service is available in your area.

Mental Health Resources in Pennsylvania

Last updated September 11, 2026

Pennsylvania has a range of mental health supports available to residents of all ages and income levels. Whether you are navigating a crisis, managing a long-term condition, or helping someone you care about, free and low-cost services exist across the state. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) oversees the state's behavioral health system, and services are often delivered locally through county Mental Health and Intellectual Disability (MH/ID) programs — meaning the first step is frequently a call to your county's behavioral health office.

If you are unsure where to start, calling 2-1-1 Pennsylvania is one of the fastest ways to get connected to mental health programs near you. Trained specialists are available 24 hours a day to help you identify county-based outpatient clinics, crisis services, peer support programs, and psychiatric rehabilitation services without needing to know the system in advance.

Cost is a common barrier, but many Pennsylvanians qualify for Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania), which covers a wide range of mental health and substance use services including therapy, psychiatry, crisis intervention, and inpatient care. If you do not currently have coverage, applying through Pennie, Pennsylvania's health insurance marketplace, or through your county assistance office is an important first step before ruling out services based on cost.

Key programs in Pennsylvania

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Provides free, confidential crisis counseling by call or text 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health or suicidal crisis. In Pennsylvania, calls are routed to local certified crisis centers staffed by trained counselors.

How to access: Call or text 988 at any time, from anywhere in Pennsylvania. Chat is also available at 988lifeline.org. No insurance or referral is needed.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services – County Mental Health Programs

Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties operates a county Mental Health program that funds and oversees outpatient therapy, case management, psychiatric services, crisis intervention, peer support, and psychiatric rehabilitation for residents, often on a sliding-fee or no-cost basis for those who qualify.

How to access: Contact your county's Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities office directly — a directory is available at dhs.pa.gov. You can also call 2-1-1 Pennsylvania to be connected to your county's specific office and learn what enrollment paperwork is required.

Medicaid / Medical Assistance (Pennsylvania)

Pennsylvania's Medicaid program, administered by DHS, covers mental health and substance use disorder treatment including therapy, psychiatry, medication, crisis services, and inpatient behavioral health care for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant individuals, and people with disabilities.

How to access: Apply online at compass.state.pa.us, by calling your county assistance office, or in person at a local DHS office. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Coverage can begin quickly once approved.

2-1-1 Pennsylvania

A free, statewide helpline connecting callers to local social services including mental health clinics, crisis resources, peer support groups, substance use treatment, housing, and other wraparound services. Specialists can help identify programs specific to your county and situation.

How to access: Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211, available 24/7. Translation services are available. You can also search online at pa211.org.

VA Mental Health Services (for Veterans)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides comprehensive mental health care to eligible Pennsylvania veterans, including therapy, psychiatry, PTSD treatment, substance use programs, and the Veterans Crisis Line (call 988, then press 1). Pennsylvania is served by the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, and multiple community-based outpatient clinics across the state.

How to access: Enrolled veterans can contact their nearest VA medical center or clinic to request mental health services. Veterans not yet enrolled can apply at va.gov/health-care/apply or call 1-800-827-1000 to learn about eligibility.

Mental Health Resources resources for Pennsylvania

Behavorial Center At Girard — 3 North

SAMHSA-listed mental health treatment facility.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania215-787-2210

Mental Health Resources in Pennsylvania

Key programs in Pennsylvania

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services – County Mental Health Programs

Medicaid / Medical Assistance (Pennsylvania)

2-1-1 Pennsylvania

VA Mental Health Services (for Veterans)

Mental Health Resources resources for Pennsylvania

Behavorial Center At Girard — 3 North

Bethanna — Philadelphia County

Citizens Acting Together Can Help Inc — Federal Elderly Recovery Program

Consortium Inc — Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Program

ETHOS Treament LLC

Gaudenzia Inc — Rint Program

JJPI Youth SRP

John F Kennedy Behavioral Health — Walk In Clinic

Malvern Behavioral Health

Mazzoni Center — Behavioral Health Services

North Philadelphia Health Systems — Miracles in Progress

Philadelphia Mental Health Center

Providence Treatment

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Find Support Today

NAMI HelpLine

Other resources in Pennsylvania

Mental Health Resources in other states