Accessing mental health support
do we use this?
What is mental health?
Mental health affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States according to the CDC.
- More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness.
- More than 1 in 5 teens (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
- About 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression.
- Explore Mental Health recommended resources from The National Library of Medicine
Seeking help in a mental health crisis
For Adults: Valeo’s Crisis Center is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at 400 SW Oakley Ave, Topeka, KS 66606. Anyone who is experiencing a crisis can walk in anytime day or night to meet with a crisis clinician or contact Valeo’s 24-Hour Crisis Line: 785-234-3300.
For Children: Family Service & Guidance Center offers crisis services 24/7/365. If you think your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 785-232-5005 and ask to speak to Crisis Services.
National Helplines for Mental Health Crisis
Seeking help
Health insurance policies offer varying coverage and benefits around mental health, addiction recovery or substance use treatments. Contact your insurer for details.
Some workplaces offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) to help employees with personal problems. Contact your workplace for details.
Primary care providers like doctors are also prescribing providers for some behavioral health treatments. Contact your primary care provider's office for details.
Explore more Community Resources for Topeka and Shawnee County
Searching Psychology Today's Find a Therapist produces a list of therapists in your region. Profiles include each professional's education and credentials, approaches and perspectives to treatment, specialties and areas of interest, location, availability and cost, along with contact information.
Mental health screenings
Mental Health Screenings with Valeo Behavioral Health Care staff help community members understand their own mental health situations, the treatment options available and how to access services. Upcoming mental health screenings are scheduled at the library Wed, March 27, 9-11am and Wed, April 24, 9-11am.
Mental health in Topeka and Shawnee County
According to the 2023-2025 Community Health Improvement Plan for Shawnee County, access to mental health services received the second highest percentage of votes (50%) of any community health need to improve, ranking just under affordable healthcare insurance. In the 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey, 67.36% of respondents identified mental health issues as a very big problem, 6.6% indicated there were no services available, and 25.12% indicated the quality of services was unacceptable. Access to Mental Health Services and Suicide ranked as first and second overall CHNA priorities.
The Community Health Improvement Plan identifies two goals in the priority area of Behavior Health.
- GOAL 1.1 Zero suicides in Shawnee County.
- GOAL 1.2 Address crisis through recovery through an integrated system of care.
The Topeka Police Department's Behavior Health Unit program is a community effort that involves mental health providers, consumers, and their family members working together to provide the best possible outcomes during a mental health crisis.
