Salem, OR, is a lively state capital, home to 177,000 people and a vibrant local culture of arts and tourism. Despite this, Salem ranks in the top 10 most depressed cities in America — nearly 26% of the town’s residents live with a diagnosis of clinical depression. Oregon itself reports over 731,000 people with some form of mental illness and 42% of the state’s population with at least some symptoms of anxiety and depression within the last 12 months.
As grim as these numbers sound, Salem mental health services have helped thousands of people get through serious crises intact, and low or no-cost support for mental health in Salem assists thousands more to maintain a functional lifestyle.
OR – Salem mental health services come in all shapes and sizes. Everyone has access to national helplines, and several state-level resources operate in the capital city to provide information, advice and referrals at no cost for the people who need them. Other agencies, including the city government, take a more local focus toward mental health support, with several nonprofits operating exclusively for Marion County residents in need. If you live in the area and need mental health counseling in Salem, you can call a local hotline to speak with a sympathetic and compassionate professional.
The National Mental Health Hotline
The Mental Health Hotline (MHH) offers free, confidential, around-the-clock assistance with any mental health issue whatsoever. Call 866-903-3787 anytime to reach a trained professional who can offer guidance, counseling, and more resources if need be. Give us a call now, or feel free to browse our website, which is loaded with helpful information and external links.
Help for Oregon Residents
Psychiatric Crisis Center (PCC)
PCC is a 24-7 crisis intervention service that serves the mid-Willamette Valley, including Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. From its headquarters on the campus of Salem Hospital, PCC keeps at least one qualified mental health professional available around the clock to answer calls and perform telephone triage for people with a pressing mental health issue. The team at PCC can take your call and rapidly develop a crisis plan to intervene in cases of depression, anxiety or other mental health emergencies. You can find respite care through the PCC hotline, as well as emergency inpatient treatment, mostly in the Salem Hospital ED. Ongoing case manager support is also available through the hotline.
(503) 585-4949
Adult Behavioral Health Services
Adult Behavioral Health Services screens people in Salem for potential hospital admission, diversion and respite placement. The service also offers crisis intervention for Salem mental health services in moments of acute need.
(503) 588-5351
WFMC Health
WFMC Health offers a suite of community supports for Salem residents in need. Medical and mental health screenings are available at no cost, and calls from the community are met with a respectful, nonjudgmental phone consultation. Case manager support is also available for residents with disabilities or an impeded ability to live independently.
(503) 585-6388
Multnomah County BHCC
The Multnomah County Behavioral Health Call Center offers 24/7 support to anyone experiencing mental health issues on any scale. Call 503-988-4888 or for a toll-free option, call 800-716-9769. Click here to learn more about the county’s program.
NAMI Multnomah
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is one of the largest resources for free assistance with mental health issues in the US. Call 800-950-6264 anytime to reach a crisis counselor, or text “NAMI” to 741741. Multnomah County has its own NAMI hub – visit the website by clicking here.
National Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The NAMI helpline offers a sympathetic voice on the phone when you need help, as well as unbiased advice, information and referrals for local care services. Volunteers take phone calls Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and lend a sympathetic ear to people from all over the country who call in a moment of need. This isn’t a crisis hotline, but local crisis response can be reached through the service. The NAMI crisis line is monitored 24 hours a day and can be reached via text as well.
Call: (800) 950-NAMI (6264)
Text: NAMI to 741-741
Email: info@nami.org
National Mental Health Hotline
The National Mental Health Hotline employs trained professionals who can answer your call when you need help finding local mental health resources. This free helpline maintains a list of mental health resources in Salem, including crisis intervention teams, who can assist you when you need it the most. Calls to the helpline are confidential.
(866) 903-3787
Mental Health Hotline for Oregon Residents
Mental Health Hotline is a free resource for people living with a mental health issue, as well as for families concerned about their loved ones. Call us anytime 24-7, whenever you need advice, referrals for Salem mental health services or simply a listening ear.