Integrating Behavioral Health
In coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other partners, ACF is committed to integrating behavioral health services and supports into existing federal programs and resources that children, youth, and families rely on, including social services and early childhood programs.
Learn more about the HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration (PDF).
In Crisis or Need Immediate Help?
Regardless of what you are experiencing, you are never alone. Use these helplines and tools (available in English and en español) to access immediate help for you or your loved ones.
Access More Crisis Helplines and Tools
988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline
Text or call 988 , or chat the 988 Lifeline (in English and en español), if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis. 988 will connect you with trained crisis counselors who can offer compassionate care and support in multiple languages.
Mental Health and Substance Use National Helpline
Call 1-800-487-4889 (in English and en español) for free, confidential treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use disorders.
Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Locator
The FindTreatment.gov search tool enables you to use your zip code to find a nearby provider or program based on your unique mental health or substance use needs.
Maternal Mental Health Line
Text or call 1-833-852-6262 for support through all stages of pregnancy, with free, confidential access to professional counselors, real-time information, and support group referrals. Counselors provide support in English and en español.
Latest resources from ACF Behavioral Health and Our Partners
Whether seeking information for yourself or someone else, we have resources spanning a range of behavioral health topics and audiences. You will find information tailored to your audience, their specific needs and experiences in the following buckets. Learn more about our efforts to improve behavioral health outcomes for children, teens, families, and communities.
For Parents and Caregivers
This page contains resources, including practical tips and guides, for parents, caregivers, and families to enable them to support the behavioral health needs of themselves and those in their care.
For Teens and Young Adults
This page is designed for teens and young adults to find resources to boost resilience, cope with stress, navigate difficult emotions or experiences, and locate help for mental health, substance use, or crisis-related questions or concerns—for themselves and others.
For Providers
Recognizing the invaluable role that providers play in impacting behavioral health outcomes, we have compiled provider-specific resources to equip practitioners with the information they need to address the mental health and substance use needs of those in their direct care or supervision.
For American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
We have compiled a range of resources designed to support the unique mental health, substance use, suicide prevention, and crisis support needs of AI/AN people and their communities.
For Grant Recipients
This collection of resources is designed to enable ACF grant recipients and their networks to support the mental health and substance use awareness, prevention, treatment, and recovery needs of the populations they serve.
For Individuals Supporting Early Childhood Needs
To support early childhood mental health and social and emotional development, the ACF Office of Early Childhood Development has created a repository of behavioral health resources for parents and caregivers, early care and education program staff and administrators, state and tribal leaders, and tribal programs.
Resources and Quick Links
Mental Health
Find the mental health information you need by browsing our quick links.
- Prevention Strategies
- Find Treatment
- List of Helplines and Treatment Locator Tools
- Suicide Prevention & Early Warning Signs
- Treatment Types
- How to Pay for Treatment
- Mental Health and Teens
- Support Group Locator
Substance Use
Find the substance use information you need by browsing our quick links.
Explore more from ACF
These videos from ACF’s Head Start program are designed to help providers support a variety of pathways to mental health and healing and raise awareness about the effect of historical trauma on mental health and how to reduce barriers of bias.
Integrating Harm Reduction Strategies
This ACF brief provides information and resources about harm reduction services for young adults experiencing homelessness.
This policy statement provides recommendations that promote the early development of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children who have been exposed to alcohol or substances during pregnancy or early childhood.
Thriving and Healthy Kids: We All Have a Role to Play in Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences
Everyone plays an important role in ensuring all children are safe, healthy, and thrive in their community. View these resources to learn more about what you can do as a parent or caregiver, youth, community member, or professional working with children to help prevent adversity and promote positive experiences so children can thrive.