Our mission is to promote and protect the health and safety of Idahoans.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's programs and services are designed to help people live healthy and be productive, strengthening individuals, families and communities. From birth throughout life, we help people improve their lives.
We deal with complex social, economic and health issues. We receive requests every day for assistance with food or medical insurance. We help others with child care, child support and substance abuse problems. Throughout the state, we are at the forefront of protecting public health.
Services Offered
Adult Mental Health Services The State of Idaho provides state funded and operated community based mental health care services through Regional Mental Health Centers (RMHC) located throughout the state. Each RMHC provides mental health services through a system of care that is both community-based and consumer-guided. Adult mental health services provided by the RMHC's include: * Crisis Screening and Intervention * Mental Health Screening * Psychiatric Clinical Services * Case Management * Individual Therapy * Group Therapy * Community-Based Rehabilitation Services (CBRS) - formerly Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) * Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) * Patient Assistance Program (PAP) * Benefit Assistance * Co-Occuring Disorders Treatment * Pharmacological Education * Short-Term Mental Health Intervention
Children's Mental Health Services A wide range of therapeutic, educational and social services is essential to address the needs of children with emotional and/or behavioral disorders and their families. There is a continuum of publicly-funded services available to eligible children. These Services Offered: * Assessment and screenings including diagnostic evaluations and planning; * Psychotherapy services and pharmacologic management; * Community-based rehabilitation services for individuals with serious emotional disturbance (SED); * Peer and family support services; and * Case management and crisis services. * Community Based Rehabilitation Services (CBRS), previously known as PSR services, aid in skill development in a variety of community settings. * Out-of-Home Placement Services include such services as therapeutic foster care, residential treatment, brief psychiatric hospitalization, and other alternate care treatment. All community-based services are designed to prevent the need for more restrictive care such as hospitalization and residential care.
Substance Use Disorder Services Program The Division of Behavioral Health's Substance Use Disorder Services Program provides resources for individuals struggling with the disease of addiction. Interpreter services and language assistance are available for anyone, including those with limited English speaking ability, the deaf and hard of hearing, and the blind and visually impaired.
Fees and Payment
The amount of money you pay for mental health services depends on a variety of circumstances such as the number of people in your household, your income, and other factors.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
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.
