Mental Health Care in North Carolina

Mental Health Facilities by City in North Carolina

The North Carolina cities with the most SAMHSA-listed mental health facilities. All 116 cities are listed below the table.

Crisis and Support Lines in North Carolina

Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. Call or text 988 to reach a mobile crisis team, available 24/7; for a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and ask for a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) officer. Mobile crisis is always free, even without health insurance (there may be costs for recommended treatment). NCDHHS publishes a county-by-county directory of mobile crisis providers.

• NC Peer Warmline: 1-855-PEERS-NC (1-855-733-7762) (NC Peer Warmline) · 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• North Carolina crisis services

North Carolina's Mental Health Agency

NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services oversees public mental health services in North Carolina.

• NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services
• Find local services through NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services

Medicaid Mental Health Coverage in North Carolina

North Carolina's Medicaid program is NC Medicaid (NC Medicaid Managed Care and NC Medicaid Direct). Standard Plans are NC Medicaid Managed Care health plans that offer physical health, pharmacy, care management and basic behavioral health services. Behavioral Health and I/DD Tailored Plans are NC Medicaid Managed Care health plans for people with serious mental illness, severe substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries; LME/MCOs manage Tailored Plans. In NC Medicaid Direct, LME/MCOs coordinate services for mental health disorders, substance use disorder, I/DD or TBI. The EBCI Tribal Option and the Children and Families Specialty Plan serve specific groups. Covered mental health services the state names include Diagnostic assessment services, Outpatient behavioral health services provided by direct-enrolled providers, Outpatient behavioral health emergency room services, Partial hospitalization, Inpatient behavioral health services, Mobile crisis management services, Facility-based crisis services for children and adolescents, Peer support services, Prescription drugs and medication management, Telehealth, Early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment services (EPSDT) for beneficiaries under age 21 and Tailored Plan services for serious mental illness, including assertive community treatment, community support team (CST), intensive in-home services and psychosocial rehabilitation. Some services may only be available with prior authorization (pre-approval) or if medically necessary. Some services may require a copay.

• NC Medicaid (NC Medicaid Managed Care and NC Medicaid Direct) mental health services
• North Carolina Medicaid behavioral health

LME/MCOs (Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations)

Each North Carolina county has an LME/MCO that arranges services related to mental health, substance use, traumatic brain injury or intellectual and developmental disabilities. The four LME/MCOs are Alliance Health, Partners Health Management, Trillium Health Resources and Vaya Health.

• LME/MCOs (Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations) in North Carolina

Check a Therapist's License in North Carolina

Before you start, confirm your therapist or psychologist holds an active North Carolina license.

• Psychologists and psychological associates: North Carolina Psychology Board
• Licensed clinical mental health counselors (LCMHC, LCMHCA, LCMHCS): North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors
• Social workers (CSW, LCSW, LCSWA): North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board

Guides for Your Next Step

See how to find a therapist, how sliding-scale therapy works, whether Medicaid covers therapy and the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist.

Related on rehab.help: addiction treatment in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions