Behavioral Health

While the Health Department is mostly functioning virtually, if you need assistance or information, please see below:

• For mental health/substance use resources and referrals: Call 410-313-6240 or fill out this online form. You can also visit Network of Care Directory of Services (searchable) 
• Behavioral Health Guide for COVID-19 Response FAQs
• Howard County Behavioral Health Providers Telehealth Services - COVID-19
• COVID-19 Harm Reduction Guidance for Substance Use
• CDC COVID-19 Questions and Answers: For People Who Use Drugs or Have Substance Use Disorder (July 7, 2020)
• If you need crisis assistance 24/7, call 410-531-6677 (local) or 2-1-1 (statewide)
  • Substance Use Walk-in hours at Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center 24 hours, 7 days a week
    (6700 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD 21044)
  • Mental Health Walk-in hours at Grassroots Intervention Center 24/7
• If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center 410-531-6677 (local) or 2-1-1 (statewide), 24 hours, 7 days a week
Mental Health Walk-in hours 24 hours, 7 days a week
Substance Use Walk-in hours 24 hours, 7days a week
Location: 6700 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Website: https://www.grassrootscrisis.org/

Maryland Mental Health Text Message Support - Text MDMindHealth to 898-211

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Howard County 410-772-9300
Location: 9650 Santiago Rd #1, Columbia, MD 21045
Website: https://namihowardcounty.org/          

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) - Provides counseling for suicide prevention

Maryland Crisis Hotline: 1-800-422-0009 - Provides counseling for victims of domestic or sexual assault, suicide prevention, support groups, emergency shelter, shelter referral, medical care, and assistance with the process of prosecution.

Runaway Hotline: 1-800-621-4000 – Support services for runaways and homeless youth

Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence: 1-800-927-4673 -  Provides direct services for victims of family violence including a 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention, counseling, support group, emergency shelter, client advocacy, children’s program, court accompaniment, information and referral.

Maryland State (HIV/AIDS) Hotline: 1-800-638-6252, 1-800-553-3140 (Hearing Impaired). Information on testing and other referrals.

Community Services Directories

Network of Care Directory of Services (for Howard County) - A searchable directory for individuals, families and agencies concerned with behavioral health. It provides information about behavioral health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features.

Directory of Behavioral Health Services: Behavioral Health Services Directory (updated February 2022)

Directory of Behavioral Health Services for Youth: Youth Behavioral Health Services Directory (updated October 2021)

Behavioral Health Providers FAQs

Bilingual Behavioral Health Resources: Click here (Updated August 2021)

• Spanish translation
• Korean translation
• Chinese translation

*Directories are not intended to be an exhaustive, authoritative guide to services. The guides on this page are updated frequently, however, changes occur regularly in agencies and organizations, thus, information may be outdated when you read these directories.

Behavioral Health Navigation Services: Call 410-313-6240 for resources, information & referrals.

Substance Use Disorder Regional Residential Treatment Guide: SUD Residential Treatment Resource Guide (August 2021)

Referral to Howard County Hub and Spoke Care Coordination

• Fillable PDF
• Printable Microsoft Word document

Alcoholics Anonymous (local information)

The Serenity Center (self-help/12 step meeting hall)

On Our Own of Howard County (open door wellness center)

SMART Recovery (resources and meeting information)

Narcotics Anonymous (national meeting locator)

Free State Region NA (Howard County and other local area NA site)

Living in Recovery (443-741-1331)

Oxford House (301-461-0866)

Project Encompass (678-635-6124)

Certified Recovery Residences in the State of Maryland

Recovery Residences in the State of Maryland

Maryland Behavioral Health Administration

Mobile service and expanded programs available

Call or visit to learn about Harm Reduction Services. Tuesday & Thursday, 10 am - 2 pm. Talk to Peer Support Staff with lived experience. Call 667-203-1264 or email harmreductionssp@howardcountymd.gov

Our services include:

• HIV/Hepatitis & STI testing and support services
• Narcan/Overdose Response training & kits
• Safe sex supplies
• Peer Support staff access
• Wound care
• Harm Reduction kits/safer use supplies
• Referrals to medical services/social service agencies

The LEAD program is a public health and safety initiative being carried out in partnership with multiple Howard County stakeholders. LEAD offers the police an alternative to arresting and charging for crimes that are committed due to unmet behavioral health needs and poverty. Instead of the usual criminal justice response, police officers can offer the LEAD program for minor eligible offenses. A Case Manager will then meet with the individual to determine their needs and offer support. Services can include: peer support; referrals for MH/SUD services; referrals to workforce development; and referrals for any identified needed services.

The Hub and Spoke program is designed to support buprenorphine-waivered prescribers with serving individuals who have an opioid use disorder. The program facilitates the transfer of patient care between Hubs - substance use disorder treatment programs and Spokes - community-based opioid prescribers. The Hub and Spoke Care Coordinator provides support to physicians and other prescribers of opioid medication providers through the referral process. The care coordinator assists providers with accessing wrap around services that will improve the care provided to their patients.

A directory of Bureau of Behavioral Health staff and services they provide.

Howard County Suicide Prevention Forum 
Join the Howard County Health Department's Bureau of Behavioral Health, the Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC) and other partners for a presentation and panel discussion to explore collaborative community-based suicide prevention strategies. Click for the Suicide Prevention Forum.

Mental Health and It's Impact on Everything
Click here to view recording. (Passcode: c$XF1EK5)

This workshop will largely focus on the mental and emotional impact of living through a pandemic. Participants will have an increased understanding of emotional wellness throughout the lifespan and be better equipped to meet their mental and emotional health needs.

Difficult Conversations About Race series 
Click here to view the recordings.

This 3-part virtual series is a response to the civil unrest of the past year and beyond. Our presenter will offer guidance and structure around conversations addressing racial injustice and confusion, as well as cultural competency, a critical topic that has emerged as more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Getting Access to Mental Health Care: Howard County. 
Click here to view the recording

Join Leah Bulka, LMSW, Behavioral Health Navigator and Suicide Prevention Coordinator from the Howard County Health Department, Cynthia Schulmeyer, Ph.D., NCSP, Coordinator of Psychological Services from the Howard County Public School System, and MHAMD staff for a presentation on mental health resources in Howard County. Followed by a Q&A where you can get answers to questions about accessing resources and treatment.