To ensure that person-centered support and services are available and are provided to eligible individuals with mental illness, addictive disorders and intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes.MHSD serves as the single point of entry for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Eligibility to receive supports and services from MHSD is determined by an assessment as defined by the Louisiana Revised
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Services Offered
Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services
* Intermediate Care Facilities * Positive Behavioral Support Services * Psychiatric Services * Medicaid Waiver Program * Crisis Assistance
Child & Youth Services
* Early Childhood Services (0-5yrs) * Psychiatric Evaluations/ Assessments * Mental Health & Substance Use Evaluations/Assessments * Medication Management * Diagnostic & Psychological Testing * Psychosocial Interventions * First Episode Psychosis Services (15-21yrs) * School-based Prevention Services
Adult Services
* Assessments * Referrals * Crisis Intervention * Case Management * Medication Management * Individual Therapy * Group Therapy * Addiction Treatment (Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling) * HIV and TB Testing
Fees and Payment
MHSD serves the Medicaid, Medicare and uninsured eligible populations suffering from mental illness and addiction. No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay. Services and supports are not based on your income, or your insurance status.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
Qualifying for assistance from Louisiana's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Louisiana's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.