Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
The Bureau of Children, Youth, and Families in the Division of Mental Hygiene works to improve the system of care for children (ages birth through young adulthood) with mental health needs, who may also have developmental and substance abuse concerns, and to ensure that their families receive the support they need.
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Information and Referrals
How to get help with referrals for mental health services for children and adolescents in NYC
As with other illness, it is always better to seek treatment before a crisis or emergency. But there are times when a parent needs help quickly – for example, when children can’t calm down, are uncontrollable, or may be in imminent danger of hurting themselves or others. In these cases, it is best to call 911. You can also call The Mental Health Association of New York City’s 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week mental health crisis emergency hotline (1-800-LIFENET).
LifeNet
1-800-LIFENET, a confidential, toll-free help line for New York City residents, is operated by the Mental Health Association of New York City (www.mhaofnyc.org) in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
LifeNet operates 24 hours per day/7 days per week. The hotline's staff of trained mental health professionals help callers find the most appropriate mental health and substance abuse services for their needs. LifeNet is multilingual and multicultural:
1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638)
1-877-AYUDESE (en Espanol)
1-877-990-8585 (Asian-languages)
1-212-982-5284 (Hearing Impaired)
Children’s Single Point of Access (CSPOA)
Children's Single Point of Access (CSPOA) is a centralized referral system for children (from age 5 until they turn 18) with serious emotional disturbance (PDF) who need intensive mental health services to remain at home or in their community. CSPOA refers children and adolescents to high-end intensive community services such as case management, home and community based services waiver, community residence and family based treatment.
These services can only be accessed through CSPOA with a universal referral form. Based on the child’s identified needs, CSPOA will make referrals to the appropriate program.
To contact CSPOA and for all referrals
call 1-888-CSPOA-58 (1-888-277-6258).
Family Resource Centers
Family Resource Centers (FRCs) provide support for families of children (birth – 24 years old) with emotional and/or behavioral challenges. FRCs are staffed with family advocates who have experience getting mental health services for their own children.
Family advocates are specially trained and aware of concerns family members have in raising children with emotional and/or behavioral challenges. They offer support, information, referrals, workshops and groups. FRCs also employ youth advocates who work directly with children and adolescents with emotional and/or behavioral challenges, either individually or in a group.
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