Free Mental Health Services in Maine
Mental health care is available in Maine regardless of your ability to pay. From 24/7 crisis lines to community counseling centers and MaineCare-covered therapy, this guide covers your options.
Crisis Resources
| Resource | Contact | Available |
|---|---|---|
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988 | 24/7 |
| Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741 | 24/7 |
| Maine Crisis Line | 1-888-568-1112 | 24/7 |
| Sweetser Peer Warm Line | 1-866-771-9276 | Daily, varied hours |
Community Mental Health Centers
Maine's community mental health centers provide counseling, psychiatric services, case management, and crisis intervention. Most accept MaineCare and offer sliding-scale fees for uninsured individuals.
| Center | Region | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetser | Southern and Central Maine | 1-800-434-4357 |
| KBH (formerly Kennebec Behavioral Health) | Kennebec, Somerset counties | (207) 626-4673 |
| Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC) | Aroostook County | 1-800-527-0366 |
| Community Health and Counseling Services (CHCS) | Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington counties | (207) 947-2261 |
MaineCare Behavioral Health Coverage
If you have MaineCare, your mental health services are covered at no cost. Covered services include:
- Outpatient therapy (individual, group, family)
- Psychiatric medication management
- Crisis intervention and stabilization
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Case management
- Community support services
- Residential treatment (when medically necessary)
- Telehealth appointments
Don't have MaineCare? You may qualify. See our MaineCare application guide.
Sliding-Scale and Low-Cost Options
Even without insurance, you can access affordable care:
- Community mental health centers (listed above) offer fees based on your income
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide integrated behavioral health services on a sliding scale
- Open Path Collective offers online therapy sessions for $30-$80 (openpathcollective.org)
- University training clinics at UMaine and USM offer low-cost therapy with supervised graduate students
Substance Use Treatment
If you or a loved one needs help with addiction, these resources provide free or low-cost treatment:
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7 referrals)
- Maine Office of Behavioral Health: Oversees substance use treatment programs statewide
- MaineCare covers detox, residential treatment, outpatient programs, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Support Groups
- NAMI Maine: 1-800-464-5767 - Free peer support groups, family education programs, and advocacy. Visit namimaine.org for local group schedules.
- AA / NA meetings: Free, anonymous support for alcohol and substance use. Find meetings at csoaamaine.org
- DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance): Peer-led support groups for mood disorders
Key Contacts
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Maine Crisis Line: 1-888-568-1112
- NAMI Maine: 1-800-464-5767
- SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
- 211 Maine: Dial 211
Find more resources on our Mental Health Resources page, including listings by city.