Reviewed by: Michael Seale
9 mental health resources you need to know about in Central Alabama
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Whether you’re dealing with a shared tragedy or a more private struggle, everyone can use mental health support at times.
Fortunately, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) has lots of resources for grief, trauma and more. Keep reading for details about nine organizations that can help.
Supporting mental health in Central Alabama
As an organization, United Way believes that everyone should live life to the fullest.
Unfortunately, though, according to the National Institute of Mental Health Disorders, more than one in four adult Americans suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.
Averaged across the six counties United Way of Central Alabama serves, 18.7% of adults report experiencing poor mental health for two weeks out of every month.
In addition, in 2023 alone, there were more than 850 suicides across the service area.
Because of this, mental health is one of the top concerns affecting families.
UWCA’s programs include counseling, mental health screenings, referrals to additional resources and more.
Here are nine you can turn to—or refer others to—in times of need:
1. 2-1-1 Information + Referral
- What: An easy-to-remember, free + confidential phone line that can connect you to more than 800 community organizations throughout Alabama.
- Get in touch:
- Dial 211 or toll-free 1-888-421-1266.
- Call 711 if you are hearing impaired + ask to be connected to 2-1-1 Connects Alabama.
- Search the online database for resources.
- Text your ZIP code to 898-211 to message a live 2-1-1 specialist.
- Visit 211connectsalabama.org to connect online.
2. West Jefferson Helping Families Initiative
- What: The West Jefferson Helping Families Initiative (WJHFI) of the 10th Judicial Circuit, Bessemer Division, provides help to families to ensure their children have what they need for school success.
- Contact: Call 205-744-3556 | Website
3. 988 Suicide + Crisis Lifeline
- What:
- A national hotline providing emotional support + resources in English or Spanish.
- Can help with mental health struggles, emotional distress, substance use concerns, or if you just need someone to talk to.
- Get in touch:
- Call 988
- Text 988
- Chat
- Reach out if you are Deaf / Hard of Hearing
4. Catholic Family Services
- What: Catholic Family Services is a counseling and family services center that provides various wellness services in English + Spanish.
- Contact: Call 205-324-6561 | Website
5. Crisis Center
- What: A nonprofit whose mission is to serve the unmet needs of people experiencing personal crisis or mental health issues + respond with services that promote coping, emotional health + well-being.
- Contact: Call 205-323-7777 | Website — available 24/7 | Instagram
6. Black Women’s Mental Health Institute
- What: A national nonprofit dedicated to building awareness of + support for the mental + holistic wellbeing of Black women + girls.
- Contact: Call 205-440-2837 | Website | Instagram
7. Children’s of Alabama Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC)
- What: Located in the Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, the PIRC is a free, confidential phone response center designed to help adult callers + community providers in finding the appropriate level of mental health care for children or teens.
- Contact: Call 205-638-7472 | Website
8. Impact Family Counseling
- What:
- A Christian affiliated, nonprofit counseling center founded in 1991 to provide low-cost professional counseling services to the Birmingham community in order to protect children and strengthen families.
- Impact’s services are available to people of all faiths, regardless of race, age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability.
- Contact: Call 205-916-0123 | Website | Instagram
9. Blount County Children’s Center
- What: A Child Advocacy Center that’s working to prevent child abuse and provide help to victims + their families, working closely with government agencies that protect children.
- Contact: Call 205-274-7226 | Website
Visit United Way of Central Alabama or call 211 for mental health support today.
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