Mental Health Resources

What 988 is for

988 is for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, substance use concerns, and emotional distress. You do not need to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out. If something feels heavy, urgent, or hard to manage, you can call.

Local crisis support in Rochester and Monroe County

If you are in the Rochester area, these local options may also help:

• UR Medicine Behavioral Health Crisis Call Line
  Call (585) 275-8686 to speak with a master’s-level counselor who can talk through the situation and suggest next steps.
• URMC Mobile Crisis Team
  Call (585) 275-8686 for mobile psychiatric emergency support in Monroe County.
• Rochester Regional Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Center
  Call (585) 368-3950 for adult mental health and addiction crisis support. Walk-in help may also be available.
• Monroe County Office of Mental Health
  For mental health emergencies, the county guide directs residents to 988 and local crisis services.
• 211 / Lifeline support
  Call 211 if you need help finding community services, peer support, or other local resources.

Other support options

Depending on what you need, these may also be helpful:

• Warm Line / peer support. Good for moments when you want to talk but do not need emergency care.
• Substance use support. 988 can help with substance use-related distress, and Monroe County resource guides also list addiction support services.
• Veterans support. Veterans can call 988 and press 1 for confidential crisis support.
• Walk-in crisis care. Some local centers offer urgent support without an appointment.

Books to start with

If you are thinking about therapy and want a softer place to begin, books can help you learn the language of healing before you ever sit down with a clinician. They do not replace therapy, but they can make the first step feel less foreign.

• The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Dr. Rheeda Walker. A practical starting point for understanding Black mental health and getting support in a system that can be hard to navigate.
• My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem. A strong choice for readers interested in racialized trauma and how stress shows up in the body
• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab. Helpful if you are new to therapy language and want something grounded in boundaries and self-trust.
• You Are Your Best Thing edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown. Good for readers who want honest reflections on vulnerability, shame, and healing.
• The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor. Helpful for people exploring self-worth, body shame, and self-acceptance.
• Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting by Terrie M. Williams. A meaningful read for people who want language for pain that gets hidden or minimized.
• What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry. A clear, accessible introduction to trauma and how it shapes behavior and coping.

Finding a therapist

If you are ready for ongoing support, browse the directory to find a Black therapist in Rochester, NY or Monroe County. You can search by location, format, and the type of care you want.

Browse Therapists

Share a resource

If you know of a local support option, book, or community resource that should be added here, send it through the contact page. This page can grow over time as the directory grows.