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District of Columbia

Depression resources in District of Columbia

Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, board-certified psychiatrist and the reviewer of this article.

Reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA·Updated March 15, 2026·About 5 minutes

A short list of public starting points for depression care in District of Columbia. Nothing on this list is an endorsement, and nothing replaces evaluation by a licensed clinician.

Crisis support

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988. Chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day. Calls are routed by area code to a nearby crisis center when possible.
  • District of Columbia crisis line. DC Access HelpLine, 1-888-793-4357, 24/7.
  • Mobile crisis teams. 988 connects callers to local crisis centers, which can coordinate mobile crisis response where county or regional systems support it. Mobile crisis availability varies by county in District of Columbia.

State mental health authority

District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health
Phone: 202-673-2246
Website: dbh.dc.gov

The District agency that funds and oversees publicly funded mental health services in Washington, DC.

Peer education and support: NAMI District of Columbia

The National Alliance on Mental Illness state affiliate offers a helpline, peer-led support groups, and education for individuals and families. Find your local NAMI affiliate at nami.org/find-your-local-nami/.

Peer education and support: Mental Health America District of Columbia affiliates

MHA affiliates provide mental health advocacy, education, screening tools, information and referral, support groups, peer support, and community programs where available. Coverage varies by region.

Find local affiliates: mhanational.org/affiliates/

211 in District of Columbia

Dialing 211 in District of Columbia reaches the local information and referral line. 211 connects callers to housing, food, transportation, and behavioral health services in their area. Free and confidential. Find your local 211 at 211.org.

Treatment locator: SAMHSA FindSupport.gov

Federal tool for finding mental health and substance use care, treatment payment information, and guidance for helping someone else find treatment.

Phone: 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727), 24/7, free, confidential
Website: samhsa.gov/find-support

Medicaid and public insurance behavioral health

DC Medicaid Behavioral Health covers behavioral health services for eligible District of Columbia residents. The provider locator on the linked page lists in-network clinicians.

University and academic medical center options

Academic medical centers often run specialty programs for treatment-resistant depression, mood disorders, and clinical trials. Many accept community referrals.

Veterans-specific resources

Veterans in District of Columbia can find the closest U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center and behavioral health services through the VA facility locator. The Veterans Crisis Line is available by calling 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.

Telepsychiatry availability

Licensed telepsychiatry is available in District of Columbia through providers including shrinkMD, where clinically appropriate. Telepsychiatry appointments are full psychiatric evaluations conducted by licensed clinicians.

Telepsychiatry services are subject to state licensing requirements. A clinician must hold an active license in the state where the patient is physically located at the time of the appointment. Listed practices may not be available in all states. Contact each practice for current state availability.

Controlled substances and the Ryan Haight Act. Federal law (the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008) generally requires an in-person medical evaluation before a clinician can prescribe a controlled substance by telemedicine. Controlled substances include benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan), and stimulants such as methylphenidate and the amphetamine salts used for ADHD. The DEA has issued time-limited flexibilities since 2020 that allow some controlled-substance prescribing without a prior in-person visit; these flexibilities have been extended several times and are subject to change, so confirm current status with your clinician. Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, and others) are not controlled substances and are not subject to the Ryan Haight in-person requirement. A telepsychiatry clinician should explain which medications they can and cannot prescribe in District of Columbia before treatment begins.

Disclosure (FTC § 255). shrinkMD is a multistate telepsychiatry practice operated by an affiliate of shrinkMD Publishing Inc., which publishes this site. The editor of this site, Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, is the founder of shrinkMD and has a financial interest in it. shrinkMD is listed here as one of several resources, not as a recommendation. The site receives no fee, commission, or referral revenue for listing shrinkMD or any other practice.

Frequently asked questions about depression care in District of Columbia

Does Medicaid cover therapy in District of Columbia?
Yes. DC Medicaid Behavioral Health covers medically necessary outpatient mental health services, including therapy and psychiatric medication management, for eligible residents. Coverage details, copays, and the list of in-network clinicians vary by managed care plan. Start with DC Medicaid Behavioral Health at https://dhcf.dc.gov or call your plan directly.
What is the fastest way to find a psychiatrist in District of Columbia?
Most people who find a psychiatrist quickly in District of Columbia use three lanes at once. Call your insurance plan and request the in-network behavioral health provider list, search Psychology Today and SAMHSA FindSupport.gov for clinicians who match your insurance, and call several offices the same day. Many practices also offer licensed telepsychiatry, which can shorten the wait. See the How to find a therapist guide for the full script.
Are telepsychiatry visits allowed in District of Columbia?
Yes. Telepsychiatry is legal in District of Columbia when delivered by a clinician who holds an active license in District of Columbia at the time of the appointment. Federal law (the Ryan Haight Act) limits prescribing of controlled substances by telemedicine without a prior in-person visit, with time-limited DEA flexibilities in place since 2020. Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, and others) are not controlled substances and are not subject to that requirement.
What number do I call in District of Columbia for a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988 from anywhere in District of Columbia to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; the call is routed to a nearby crisis center when possible. You can also use the state crisis line: DC Access HelpLine, 1-888-793-4357, 24/7. If you may be in immediate danger or someone is seriously injured, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Next step after a state resource

Most patients start with one of the directories above and call several clinicians before they find one. The How to find a therapist guide walks through the steps and gives a script for the first call.

For anxiety resources in District of Columbia, see our sister publication AnxietyResource.org.

Last reviewed March 15, 2026.

Every clinical page on DepressionResource.org is written in plain language, dated, and reviewed by a board-certified psychiatrist against current clinical guidelines. See our editorial standards and medical review process.