1. If there is a mental health emergency and if the child does not have a current therapist who can be reached for advice, DCMHS has a crisis service available 7 days per week, 24 hours a day. Please read Crisis FAQ for understanding of Crisis Services.
New Castle County above the C&D Canal 1 (302) 633-5128
New Castle County below the Canal 1 (800) 969-HELP (4357)
Kent County 1 (302) 678-3782
Sussex County 1(302) 424-HELP (4357)
2. For non-emergency mental health and substance abuse services:
If you have a current mental health provider or family doctor you may ask them for assistance in accessing appropriate services.
If your child has Medicaid you may call the customer service number on the back of the Medicaid card. The MCOs for Medicaid are Unison, Diamond State Partners, and Delaware Physicians Care.
If your child has no insurance call the Division of Child Mental Health Services Intake line at 1(302) 633-2571 weekdays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. We would be glad to discuss your concern, determine what steps might be helpful, and provide information about outpatient providers where you may schedule an appointment if outpatient treatment is appropriate. These providers may ask you questions about your child's mental health issues as well as insurance and income information to determine eligibility and how much you can afford to pay.
If you are employed but your income is low and you have no health insurance, you may also apply for insurance thorough the Delaware Healthy Children Program at 1-800-372-2022 (Division of Social Services); press "0" for the operator.
If you have a current mental health provider and insurance and you believe that the service required is a covered benefit and the insurance benefit is not exhausted but the insurance company will not authorize the needed care, you should ask your provider to assist you with an appeal of the denial. If you have difficulty, your employer's Human Resources staff may be able to assist in clarifying benefits or explaining how to appeal denials. You may also call the State Insurance Commissioner at 1(800) 282-8611.
If you have private health insurance but do not have a therapist, call the customer service or member services number listed on the insurance card explain the kind of problem you have and ask for a list of providers that treat similar problems. You may wish to call the providers on the list to be sure they accept the insurance you have, ask when they have an appointment available, and see if you are comfortable speaking with them. Then schedule an appointment with the provider that seems to be the best for you: Private insurance company search engines
If you believe that your child is disabled by mental illness, you may apply for Disabled Child Medicaid at (302) 368-6610. If child has been diagnosed with an Axis I clinical syndrome, the parent may apply for Disabled Child Medicaid, even if they have private insurance. This will allow Medicaid to act as a secondary insurer. The phone number is 368-6610 x210. The contact person is Kenya Stone or you can call Medicaid at 577-2174 and ask for Disabled Child's Medicaid information
This guide shows what steps to take when searching for a provider that takes your insurance, or what steps to take if you have no insurance.
3. Call DCMHS Intake at 1(302) 633-2571 or 1(800)722-7710, if you need help at any point.