Missouri organizes continuing public behavioral-health services by county and service region. Start with 988 during a crisis, then use the state directory to identify the provider responsible for the county where help is needed. Last checked August 2, 2026.
If there is immediate physical danger, an active attempt, or a medical emergency, contact emergency services immediately.
What you can do now
Take these steps in order.
1
Call or text 988 for suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, a mental-health or substance-use crisis, or concern about someone else.
2
For an active attempt, urgent medical emergency, or immediate physical danger, contact emergency services.
3
For continuing care, open Missouri’s official Community Mental Health Centers directory and select the county.
How Missouri crisis support begins
The Missouri Department of Mental Health directs people in suicidal, mental-health, or substance-use crisis to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. A 988 counselor can listen, help assess the immediate situation, and discuss available next steps.
Find the provider assigned to your county
Missouri’s Community Mental Health Centers directory is organized by service area and county. The listed provider determines eligibility and explains intake, services, and follow-up. Use the current state page rather than an old printed list.
Walk-in crisis care
Missouri also publishes information about Behavioral Health Crisis Centers. Locations, ages served, intake hours, and capacity can change, so confirm directly before traveling or ask 988 about the current option nearest you.
For a child or teenager
Tell 988 that the person is under 18 and describe the immediate safety concern. Also contact the child’s established clinician, pediatrician, school mental-health professional, or county provider. Do not leave a young person alone when immediate danger may be present.
What to confirm before going
Whether the program serves the person’s county and age
Whether an appointment, referral, identification, or insurance information is required
Current hours and whether walk-in care is available
Accessibility, language access, transportation, and cost
Foundational health and safety guidance grounded in cited national sources. Qualified clinical and suicide-prevention review is required before broad public promotion.
