If you or someone you know is living with a mental health or substance use condition, there is help. The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) oversees Colorado’s public mental health system. BHA works with service providers around the state to offer support. Here’s a guide to available services:
You can also learn about:
Crisis services
Crisis looks and feels different for everyone. If you find yourself in need of someone to talk to, support is available 24/7. There’s no wrong way to get help.
Call, text, or chat a free support line
You can speak with a trained crisis counselor at any time of day or night. These services are free and confidential.
To access Colorado Crisis Services:
- Call 844-493-TALK (8255)
- Text TALK to 38255
To access 988, the nationwide mental health and substance use helpline:
- Call or text: 988
- Chat: 988lifeline.org
Get in-person support
Get immediate support at a Colorado Crisis Services walk-in center, regardless of ability to pay. There are locations in the Metro Denver, Northeast, Southeast, and Western Slope regions. All locations are open 24/7 unless noted.
Mental health services
Mental health services help with a full range of mental health conditions. Here are some examples of treatment types:
- Intensive outpatient care, meaning you live at home and get treatment on a recurring schedule
- Residential care, meaning you live at a treatment program
- Individual and group treatment
- Community-based services
- Psychiatric care
Find other mental healthcare providers in Colorado
If you do have health insurance or benefits, you can explore these help resources, too:
Colorado state provider search
OwnPath is a directory of behavioral health providers licensed to practice in Colorado.
Colorado Medicaid program search
Health First Colorado is the state's Medicaid program. It provides public health insurance for Coloradans who qualify.
Federal provider search
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a free tool to find service providers.
Support for military veterans
Make the Connection shares stories of recovery from military veterans and resources to find local support.
Get free virtual counseling (youth only)
The I Matter program connects youth with therapists for up to 6 free virtual sessions. Some in-person appointments are available, too. Sessions are completely confidential. I Matter is for people 18 years and under, or 21 years and under if receiving special education services.
Get a free screening
The Mental Health Colorado organization has free online screenings. You can take these tests to see if you might have a mental health condition. They ask about things like using alcohol or drugs, feeling anxious or sad, or having trouble eating. Tests are available for everyone, including youth and adults. It's a way to check how you're feeling and get help if you need it.
Alcohol and drug use services
Alcohol and drug use services support substance use conditions. Here are some examples of treatment types:
- Withdrawal management
- Outpatient care, meaning you get treatment at a facility that you don’t have to stay overnight for
- Intensive outpatient care, meaning you get treatment on a recurring schedule and live at home
- Residential care, meaning you live at a treatment program
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
- Recovery support services
These treatments are available for anyone, including:
- Pregnant and parenting women
- People with co-occurring disorders, meaning any combination of two or more substance use disorders and mental disorders
- People with criminal justice involvement
Visit a BHA-sponsored substance use treatment center
Don’t have insurance or don’t have much coverage? You can access substance use treatment services for free or at a low cost at a center that works with BHA. These centers help adults and teens get and keep substance use treatment services. To find one, use the map below. Click on the county where you live to find more information on getting treatment.
Find other substance use treatment centers in Colorado
If you do have health insurance or benefits, you can explore these help resources, too:
Colorado state provider search
OwnPath is a directory of behavioral health providers licensed to practice in Colorado.
Colorado Medicaid program search
Health First Colorado is the state’s Medicaid program. It provides public health insurance for Coloradans who qualify.
Federal provider search
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a free tool to find service providers.
Support for military veterans
Make the Connection shares stories of recovery from military veterans and resources to find local support.
Find opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in Colorado
OTPs support people with opioid use disorders (OUD). Opioid replacement therapies include methadone, buprenorphine (suboxone), and naltrexone. You can find group and individual therapy options, too. To learn more, contact a provider from this directory of OTPs in Colorado.
Get a free screening
The Mental Health Colorado organization has free online screenings. You can take these tests to see if you might have a mental health condition. They ask about things like using alcohol or drugs, feeling anxious or sad, or having trouble eating. Tests are available for everyone, including youth and adults. It's a way to check how you're feeling and get help if you need it.
How to pay
Understanding treatment costs can be tricky, but there is help. The Substance Use and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) shares these tips for how to pay.
Don’t have much or any health insurance? Learn about BHA Community Services for free and low-cost treatment options in Colorado.