Alaska continuously rates among states with the highest suicide rate, as well as those with the highest substance abuse per capita. Furthermore, the depression rate in Alaska is higher than the national average. In 2018, nearly 55% of Alaskan residents with mental illness didn’t receive health care for it. No other state even crossed the halfway mark, statistically making Alaska the state with the least amount of treatment for mental health. The Mental Health Hotline for Alaska is a frontline option when you or a loved one is in a crisis.
There’s also help from a variety of local resources. No shortage of providers (or shortage of funds) should ever prevent you from getting the help you deserve. The following resources are free of charge, confidential and available to all Alaska residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
Mental Health in Alaska
As one of the country’s leading states for mental health crises, Alaska provides a wealth of resources for those struggling with substance use disorder or other co-occurring illnesses. The Alaska Department of Health maintains a comprehensive list of providers with beds available for those who need immediate residential treatment.
During a mental health crisis or when struggling with substance use disorder, patients may benefit from long-term, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs or ongoing care to prevent a recurrence. All these treatment methods are available through one of the DoH centers located throughout the state.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call the Mental Health Hotline for Alaska today. A trained professional will take your call and offer you referrals to available resources in your area. The hotline is open and ready to take your call 24-7.
(866) 903-3787
Alaska Suicide & Crisis Hotlines
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline partners with nearly all U.S. states to provide locally based suicide and crisis hotlines. Broken down by county, the comprehensive list of resources can be found on their site.
Call: 800-273-8255
Text: WYO to 741741
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline. Call anytime Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. EST. If you need help outside of those hours, there’s a 24-7 text line that can provide the same assistance via written communication.
Call: (800) 950-6264
Text: NAMI to 741-741
Email: info@nami.org
Careline
Careline is Alaska’s 24-hour suicide prevention and someone-to-talk-to hotline. It offers crisis assistance and grief counseling via phone or text for both prospective patients and worried friends or family. Text services are available from 3 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Trained counselors can also offer information about possible warning signs of an impending crisis, help arrange welfare checks and offer guidance on how to reach out when someone needs help but might be resistant.
Call: (877) 266-4357
Text: 4help to 839863
Akeela
Akeela is a nonprofit mental health and wellness provider that operates four locations throughout the state. The Anchorage location is the most comprehensive, with both inpatient and intensive outpatient programs available along with counseling, telehealth therapy and other mental health services. Sliding scale services are offered to low-income patients who don’t have insurance or may not qualify for Medicaid or other financial assistance programs.
(907) 225-4135
Get Help With Mental Health
If you or a loved one needs help with feelings of depression, anxiety, grief or trauma, the Mental Health Hotline for Alaska is here to help. We have mental health care providers available 24-7 to assist with a crisis and provide local referrals for ongoing service.