Accessing Mental Health Support
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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.
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23% or nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental health condition
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6% or nearly 1 in 18 U.S. adults live with a serious mental health condition—for example, schizophrenia, bipolar, or major depression—that significantly interferes with the ability to carry out life's activities.
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20% or nearly 1 in 5 adolescents ages 12-17 have a current, diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition.
- Explore Mental Health recommended resources from The National Library of Medicine
Seeking help in a mental health crisis
Astra Mental Health and Recovery
- Youth Crisis Services 785-232-5005
- Adult Crisis Services 785-234-3300
- 24-Hour Detox Line 785-234-3448
- Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
In 2026, Family Service & Guidance Center and Valeo Behavioral Health Care have merged to become Astra Mental Health & Recovery.
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.
Shawnee Care Connect is an online tool for our community to search for and connect with mental and behavioral health specialists in our Topeka and Shawnee County Area.
Mental health in Topeka and Shawnee County
According to the 2026-2028 Community Health Improvement Plan for Shawnee County, behavioral health, including
mental health and SUD, have been identified as top priorities. Behavioral health is a subset of overall wellness that addresses the mental, emotional, and social well-being of a person. It often includes mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use disorders (SUD). According to the 2024 Shawnee County Needs Assessment, Shawnee County residents reported more poor mental health days (5.7) than the statewide average (5.0) with the national average being (4.8).
Behavioral Health Priority Area in the 2026-2028 Community Health Improvement Plan for Shawnee County
Goal 1
Improve behavioral health for residents of Shawnee County.
- Objective 1a: Increase the number of good mental health days for those living in Shawnee County.
- Objective 1b: Show an overall increase in access to mental health care providers in Shawnee County by January 2029.
Goal 2
Decrease the rate of suicide in Shawnee County.
- Objective 2a: Increase gun lock distribution sites.
- Objective 2b: Increase outreach to the community through media campaigns, in an effort to reduce suicide rates.
- Objective 2c: Increase participation and engagement with schools and institutions of higher education in Shawnee County, as it relates to suicide prevention programming.
- Objective 2d: Increase communication and collaboration among network of therapists and other behavioral health related providers serving Shawnee County.
Goal 3
Decrease substance use among Shawnee County residents.
- Objective 3a: Increase collaboration between community partners to prevent and reduce substance use and adverse behavioral health experiences among Shawnee County residents.
- Objective 3b: Collect better local data for understanding community needs related to substance use and prevention.
- Objective 3c: Decrease vaping and tobacco use among Shawnee County residents.
topeka police departments behavior health unit
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.
