As the new year begins, many people reflect on goals, transitions, and personal well-being. While this season can bring hope and motivation, it can also surface stress, anxiety, grief, or uncertainty. The City of Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is committed to ensuring that residents don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.

Through a network of mental health, crisis response, and community-based supports, DCHS works to promote emotional wellness, safety, and resilience for individuals and families across Alexandria. 

A Community-Centered Approach

DCHS operates with a clear vision: a community in which residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety, and self-sufficiency. Mental health services are grounded in accessibility, equity and trauma-informed care, recognizing that emotional wellness is closely connected to housing stability, family support, physical health, and economic security. 

Whether someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, seeking early support, or looking for long-term recovery, help is available.

24/7 Crisis Support When It’s Needed Most

For residents who are experiencing emotional distress or behavioral health emergencies, immediate support is available around the clock:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: By calling or texting 988, residents can connect 24/7 with trained crisis counselors who provide free, confidential emotional support and connect callers to local resources.
• DCHS Emergency Services: Available 24/7 by calling 703.746.3401, these services offer crisis intervention, assessments, and stabilization support at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center.
• Community Crisis Response Team: Provides support to individuals, families, or groups impacted by traumatic or critical incidents.
• Co-Response and Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT/ACORP): Behavioral health clinicians partner with specifically trained law enforcement officers to respond to crisis calls with a focus on safety, de-escalation, and connection to care.

Together, these services ensure that residents can access help at any time, in any moment of crisis, without fear or stigma. 

Same-Day Access to Behavioral Health Services

DCHS also offers Same Day Access (SDA) for mental health assessments. No appointment is required. This service supports children (ages 5+), adults, and families who are seeking mental health care but may not know where to start.

Same-Day Access helps reduce barriers by offering timely evaluations and direct connections to appropriate services, supporting early intervention and continuity of care.

For children, youth, and families, DCHS provides behavioral health services that include clinical assessments, counseling, and care coordination to help young people thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. 

Ongoing Support Beyond Crisis

Mental health support does not stop once a crisis passes. DCHS encourages residents to take advantage of ongoing tools and community-based resources that promote long-term well-being, including:

• Racial trauma and culturally responsive mental health resources designed to acknowledge and address the impacts of systemic and lived experiences
• Integrated support services, including benefits access, housing assistance, and family services, which can help reduce stressors that affect mental health

Community & Peer Support

Residents seeking ongoing or peer-based support can also turn to trusted partners like NAMI Northern Virginia, which offers free peer and family support groups, mental health education, and recovery-focused programs.

The Virginia 988 Crisis Continuum further connects individuals to follow-up care, mobile crisis response, and stabilization services across the Commonwealth, strengthening Alexandria’s mental health safety net.

How to Connect

Residents can contact the DCHS Call Center at 703.346.5599 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) Walk-in services are available at 4850 Mark Center Drive. For more information please visit: alexandriava.gov/DCHS Services are available regardless of ability to pay.