Just under half (49%) of Missouri’s population lives in an area that is officially underserved when it comes to mental healthcare availability. The national average of 29% is significantly lower, yet still much too high. Missouri consistently ranks in the bottom third or quarter of states when it comes to a multitude of mental health indicators. In fact, the state ranked 44th on a recent National Institute of Health study when it came to the overall well-being of all fifty states.
Fortunately, there’s help. 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 Missouri residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call 1-866-903-3787 right now. A trained professional will take your call and assist you however she or he can. A world of resources is waiting for you. The hotline is available to all US residents and operates on a 24/7 basis.
Missouri DMH
The state’s Department of Mental Health offers Access Crisis Intervention (ACI), and a list of phone numbers by county can be found here. According to the site, “ACI will provide an opportunity for individuals to receive necessary behavioral health crisis services in an effort to reduce unnecessary interventions such as hospitalization or detentions.”
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline, which can be reached by calling 1-800-950-6264 or by emailing info@nami.org. Although the helpline is only available Monday through Friday from 10AM until 8PM EST, there is a 24/7 text-line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.