Charlotte-area mental health resources for youth in crisis
Here's a list of resources for children who need immediate or more intensive mental health help
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The following is a list of local mental health services for children who are in crisis or who need more than once- or twice-a-week therapy appointments for mental health conditions. Support groups for parents are also listed. This list does not include programs that specialize in substance abuse or eating disorders.
Note: This is not a complete list. If there is a Charlotte area resource we should consider adding to this page, please email mcrouch@northcarolinahealthnews.org.
Crisis Hotlines
➡️ National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988
A trained crisis counselor will answer the phone, provide support and share resources if needed. You can also call for advice if you are a parent worried about your child. If you text instead of call, you will complete a short survey and then be connected to a counselor.
➡️ Mecklenburg County Mobile Crisis Team: 704-566-3410 (option 1)
Counselors trained in crisis intervention will take your call and, if necessary, dispatch a team to assess or de-escalate the situation, help create a safe and stable crisis plan and provide connection to community resources. This can be a good option if you don’t think driving your child will be safe.
➡️ Alliance Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 1-877-223-4717
Connects individuals on Medicaid and those who are uninsured with Mecklenburg County mental health resources.
➡️ Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Sometimes it’s easier for kids to text when they are feeling depressed or anxious.
➡️ Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
Emergency Rooms/Crisis Centers
Walk-in centers that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week where you can go if you have concerns about your child’s safety or if your child is in danger of harming themselves or others.
➡️ Atrium Behavioral Health E.R.: 704-444-2400
501 Billingsley Road in Charlotte
➡️ Novant Hemby Children’s E.R.: 800-718-3550
200 Hawthorne Lane in Charlotte
➡️ Atrium Health Levine Children’s E.R.: 704-381-2000
1000 Blythe Blvd. in Charlotte
➡️ SECU Youth Crisis Center: 704-206-2342, option 8
10 Back Creek Drive in northeast Charlotte
A 16-bed Monarch facility that provides stabilization and treatment to youth ages 6 to 17 who are in a mental health or substance use crisis (but don’t need detox). The center can be a good alternative to the E.R. if your child isn’t hurt, isn’t in imminent danger of hurting themselves, and is not resisting treatment, said Monarch CEO Peggy Terhune. Kids who are admitted typically stay 7 to 10 days.
➡️ Smith Family Behavioral Health Urgent Care: 704-273-3942
616 Colonnade Drive in Charlotte
Another alternative to the E.R., you can take your child here for a rapid mental health assessment or diagnostic screening, stabilization, brief crisis counseling and referrals to other providers.
➡️ The Relatives Youth Crisis Center: 704-377-0602
1100 East Blvd. in Dilworth
A short-term shelter for youth ages 7-17 who have run away from home, are homeless, or are in transition under the care of the Department of Social Services. You can drop in, but staff recommend calling first to see if it’s a good fit.
➡️ COMING SOON: The Katie Blessing Center
5516 Central Ave. in East Charlotte
Envisioned as a one-stop shop for children ages 5 to 18 with mental health issues, it will include a behavioral health urgent care as well as inpatient psychiatric beds, a residential treatment program and intensive outpatient treatment. Scheduled to open in late 2024.
Day treatment/Partial hospitalization programs
These structured programs can serve as an alternative to hospitalization if your child needs more intense services but not the 24-hour care of a hospital. They typically run Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to about 3 p.m. and include individual and group therapy, problem-solving and coping skills, family support and more. Kids also have academic time every day.
➡️ Novant Health partial hospitalization program (Charlotte)
1900 Randolph Road. 704-384-7001
Serves adolescents ages 13 to 17
➡️ Atrium Health partial hospitalization program
501 Billingsley Road. 704-444-2444
Serves children ages 6 to 18 (typically divided into a younger and older group)
➡️ Alexander Youth Network day treatment program
622 Thermal Road. 855-362-8470 or intake@aynkids.org
Serves children in grades K-8. (A program at 2848 Ridge Road in Indian Trail serves grades K-5.)
➡️ COMING SOON: HopeWay at Oakhurst Commons
4000 Monroe Road
Serves children ages 12-17 (and young adults with eating disorders). Opening in early 2024. Not yet accepting admission.
➡️ COMING SOON: Newport Academy
9101 Pineville Matthews Rd, Suite C1 in Pineville
Opening this fall. For more information: Dana.Carroll@NewportHealthcare.com
Intensive outpatient programs
IOPs typically offer 10 to 12 hours of one-on-one and group therapy per week in the afternoons after school hours. These programs can help a teen who needs more intensive treatment but wants to continue to attend school. They can also serve as a step-down from a residential or hospital stay.
➡️ Queen City Counseling & Consulting
5950 Fairview Road, Suite 150. 704-457-8222
Serves ages 13-17 (or 18 if still in school) and includes 10-12 hours of therapy per week in the afternoons. The average length of the program is 8-12 weeks.
➡️ COMING SOON: Newport Academy
9101 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite C1, in Pineville
Opening this fall. For more information: Dana.Carroll@NewportHealthcare.com
Parent or Caregiver Support/Advice:
➡️ Mental Health America ParentVOICE: 704-365-3454
Local family support specialists who have raised a child with a mental health issue can answer your questions and help you navigate the mental health, education, justice and social services systems. MHA also offers an 8-hour Mental Health First Aid class that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, and monthly Coffee & Conversations events.
➡️ NAMI Charlotte: 704-333-8218
Staff can answer questions about local mental health services. Offers free in-person and online local support groups for parents, as well as an evidence-based eight-week educational program called Family to Family for family members of people with mental health conditions.
➡️ Queen City Counseling & Consulting: 704-457-8222
5950 Fairview Rd, Ste 150
Offers monthly parent support meetings on the third Saturdays covering different topics for a $30 fee. For more info: info@qc-counseling.com
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