Have you recently gone through a significant life change? Are you feeling lost and alone, like no one understands how you feel? Maybe you’re concerned about your mental health and suspect you need a nursing assessment. If you’re reading this page because you want to find mental health help in Augusta, GA, or if you’ve been searching for an Augusta mental health hotline, you’re in the right place. And you’ve already made an important first step in taking charge of your mental well-being.
Mental Health Hotline connects people in need with professionally trained mental health specialists in Augusta. These people connect you with the local resources you need and answer your questions in a safe, confidential environment. You’re not alone, and your mental health is important. Call one of our helplines today for the specialized care you need.
Augusta Mental Health Facts
Approximately 1 in 5 individuals in the United States has a mental illness, which includes depression, mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and PTSD. If you live with one of these conditions and are in a crisis situation, you can find many organizations to help de-escalate the situation immediately. If you live in Augusta, GA, and require a mobile crisis phone number or other resources, the following list can provide immediate aid and support.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
- 104,000 Georgians age 12–17 have depression
- Of the 391,000 adults in Georgia who did not receive needed mental health care, 45.4% did not because of the cost
- 4,911,327 people in Georgia live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals
- In Georgia, 1,569 lives were lost to suicide, and 314,000 adults had thoughts of suicide in the last year
If you live in Augusta, you may have more challenges accessing mental health resources than in other parts of the state. Experts note that the demand for mental health services has risen sharply in the last few years. But the resources below may help you connect with a therapist or counselor trained to help you.
Local Mental Health Assistance in Augusta
You’ve decided to seek help – and that’s more than many people do, so you’re on the right path. If you’re like many people, though, it’s overwhelming to know where to start. Are you looking for low-cost resources or counseling? Do you need a professional diagnosis of a mental illness? Maybe you just need someone to listen.
These local Augusta resources can help you get started on your journey to healing:
NAMI Augusta
The local NAMI offices in Augusta offer various mental health services for people with a diagnosed mental illness, those concerned they might, and their families and caregivers. Services provided by NAMI Augusta include:
- Peer-led education and counseling programs
- 24-hour phone support for people in crisis: (800) 273-TALK or (800) SUICIDE
- Specific support for Veterans: (800) 273-8255 (Press 1)
Augusta University: Behavioral Health and Psychiatry
Augusta University’s Behavioral Health and Psychiatry offers care to patients in need of behavioral and mental health services. Some low-cost and sliding-scale programs may be available for people without insurance. AU Health also provides:
- We Cope. We Cope participants will be assigned a Care Manager trained in Psychology, who will get to know them and advocate for their needs, track their progress, and ensure their doctor knows how they are doing.
- Addiction Management Program. This is medication-assisted treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, in combination with an intensive outpatient program intended for adults over 18 years old.
ALAS Free Mental Health Clinic
Walk-ins welcome. Free Mental Health Clinic is a free clinic for uninsured or underinsured people who fall 200% below the federal poverty line. It treats all qualifying individuals for their psychiatric and mental health needs.
Georgia Collaborative Mobile Crisis Phone Number
Operated by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Georgia mental health crisis line is available 24/7. Counselors obtain information from the individual or family members to determine the situation and what steps should follow. The crisis team includes a licensed clinical professional who can help determine whether an individual should seek care at a local facility, including the emergency room, or if the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with a therapist or mental health provider. For emergencies, it’s best to call 911. To speak to someone on the crisis team, contact the GCAL number at (800) 715-4255. To receive information by text, send START to 741-741.
Augusta University Emergency Psychiatric Care
Emergency psychiatric care is available at the Augusta University Medical Center Emergency Room 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The behavioral health unit has nine beds separate from other parts of the emergency room, which are used to stabilize the patient and determine if they’re safe to leave the hospital until they can schedule a visit with their regular therapist or physician. The care team includes board-certified psychiatrists, psychiatry residents, counselors and social workers. For more information, contact (706) 721-4951.
VA Augusta Health Care
Individuals who’ve served in the nation’s military may seek counseling and emergency care for an emotional crisis through VA Augusta Health Care. A suicide prevention coordinator is on-site for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and tendencies. The center also offers case managers to help coordinate care for depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions and supports family members and children of retired military. Contact the center at (706) 733-0188, extension 26869.
The Free Mental Health Clinic of Augusta
Individuals with an income 200% below the federal poverty level and little to no insurance may receive mental health services at the Free Mental Health Clinic of Augusta. The center is open the last Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. and is available to adults aged 18 and older. Operated by the Augusta University Psychiatry Department, the clinic offers free psychiatric evaluations and medications for a wide range of mental health diagnoses. For more information on available services and how to qualify for them, email freementalhealthclinic19@gmail.com or call (706) 447-9055. Walk-ins are welcome.
Georgia HOPE
Georgia HOPE works with the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and other community partners to provide mental health and substance abuse services to individuals and families throughout the state. Services are provided online, in schools and in local DFCS offices. To be eligible, an individual must live in Georgia, have a mental health, substance abuse or behavioral issue and have state-funded insurance or be self-pay. Contact (706) 847-4874 or email info@gahope.org for more information.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Also referred to as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline relies on a national network of mental health providers that provide free, confidential psychiatric support to at-risk individuals. The hotline is available 24/7. Anyone in need may text or call the mobile crisis number at 988 for one-on-one support.
You Are Not Alone. Help is Available 24 Hours a Day
When you call one of the Augusta crisis helplines listed on our site, you can talk to someone 24 hours a day and find the right support in a crisis or for your ongoing mental health needs. Do you need specific support for addiction, abuse, or sexual assault? Our counselors can connect you. Are you seeking an in-network psychiatrist for a diagnosis or medical treatment in Augusta? We can help you find that, too. Most importantly, you are not alone, and you’ll be connected with people that value your mental well-being.