If you’re feeling worried or anxious or are having a serious mental health issue, you’re not alone. More than 39% of Maryland adults report recently having symptoms of anxiety or depression, and more than one-third of those said they couldn’t get the help they felt they needed. A mental health crisis can come on suddenly, even for people with no prior history, and can rapidly get serious. In 2021, Maryland’s suicide rate was a distressing 9.7 per 100,000 residents.
There’s no reason to feel lost or alone when you’re dealing with an emotional or mental health crisis. The Maryland Crisis Line is always here to help you through a tough situation with help from caring local professionals. The resources we’ve gathered here offer free and low-cost mental health care, including Maryland Helpline crisis interventions, for people of all backgrounds and situations.
911/988
If you’re having an acute mental health or other emergency, don’t hesitate to call for immediate help. Calling 911 will summon first responders to your location to help you in minutes, while 988 can get you in touch with the suicide prevention hotline. Operators at 988 can help you quickly find help in your area for serious mental health emergencies.
The National Mental Health Hotline
The National Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 and connects you with a trained crisis counselor immediately. By calling the Maryland hotline number or the national number, you can speak to a compassionate professional who knows what you’re going through and where you can turn for local help. All calls to the Maryland helpline are confidential, and there’s no charge for referrals.
(866) 903-3787
OPTUM Maryland
OPTUM Maryland operates a 24/7 Maryland crisis line that helps manage emergencies and urgent mental health crises. Staff at Optum provide free referrals based on your location, and mobile assistance teams can be dispatched from whichever county you’re calling from if you need them.
(800) 422-0009
NAMI Helpline
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is available by voice call Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. EST and by text 24/7. When you text “NAMI” to 741-741, you’ll be connected with unbiased referrals and localized assistance getting mental health interventions.
(800) 950-6264
Maryland Region Specific Resources