Emergency Mental Health Services
To contact DCHS Emergency Services 24/7, call 703.746.3401or walk in to:
4850 Mark Center Drive, First Floor
Mon–Wed, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Thurs–Fri, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, we are here to help. The Department of Community and Human Services Emergency Services team provides crisis services including a 24-hour phone line, walk-in hours at our office at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.), and afterhours telehealth. Our licensed mental health clinicians provide compassionate strengths-based services and will work with you on a plan for care.
Are you concerned about someone else and want to learn more about crisis resources? We are also available for Emergency Services consultation and referrals.
Contacting Emergency Services
In the case of a dangerous or life-threatening emergency, always call 911 immediately.
By Phone
Individuals seeking support for themselves or someone else may contact Emergency Services 24/7 via phone by calling 703.746.3401 and asking to speak to one of our Emergency Services clinicians. When calling after regular business hours, the call will be answered by an answering service and transferred immediately to one of our Emergency Services clinicians.
In Person
Emergency Services also offers walk-in hours at our offices, located at 4850 Mark Center Drive, First Floor, Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are available for telehealth evaluations after hours. We suggest that you call Emergency Services at 703.746.3401 before walking in so that we may prepare for your arrival.
What to Expect
When receiving services from our team, whether by phone or in person, one of our licensed clinicians will provide a confidential, compassionate, and caring space for you. If you come into the Emergency Services office for an evaluation, you will be seen in a private room in the Emergency Services suite. After hours telehealth evaluations are conducted on a secure, confidential platform. After an evaluation, the clinician will make a clinical recommendation. Some of the possible recommendations include:
- Referral to outpatient behavioral health services
- Priority appointment with current providers (for existing CSB clients)
- Referral to Crisis Stabilization services
- Voluntary or involuntary hospital admission for psychiatric treatment
When speaking with Emergency Services by phone, the clinician may ask about identifying information, such as name and date of birth, as well as the current location of the individual in need of services. This information assists the clinician in determining which resources may be available and are most appropriate.
In situations where an individual in crisis is determined to be in need of a higher level of care than can be provided in the community, but is unwilling or unable to seek care, Emergency Services may recommend an emergency custody order or a temporary detention order as a last resort.
See more information about emergency custody orders and temporary detention orders.
Things to Know
Eligibility
Emergency Services provides services to persons located in the City of Alexandria. Those who call to report a concern about someone else can call from any location; however, the person in need of services must be in the City of Alexandria.
Cost of Emergency Services
The cost of services may be covered by insurance. If the person in need of services does not have insurance, costs will be determined based upon the person’s income. No one is denied services due to inability to pay.
Cost of Referred Services
In situations where Emergency Services recommends and/or makes a referral to other services, those services may have associated costs that may or may not be covered by insurance. In some cases, referred service providers may offer income-based costs, charity care, or other cost reduction options.
Other Crisis Resources
In addition to DCHS Emergency Services, individuals in the City of Alexandria have access to multiple other resources to support them in a behavioral health crisis. These include the following:
- 24/7 Regional Crisis Call Center
- Regional Crisis Services
- Community Crisis Response Team
- Alexandria Co-Responding Program
- Alexandria Police Department Crisis Intervention Team
- INOVA Alexandria Hospital Emergency Department
For more information on utilizing these resources, please visit Mental Health Crisis Resources.
Red Flag Law and Suicide Prevention
Virginia's ESRO "Red Flag" Law helps save lives!
If you are concerned about someone who has a firearm and may
be a danger to their self or others, report it. This law prevents individuals, who show signs of being a substantial risk, from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm.
To obtain free gun locks and medication lock boxes, see the suicide prevention program Lock and Talk.