The holidays can be especially hard for individuals and families navigating stress, grief, financial pressure or isolation. If you or someone you love needs help, support is available year-round in Central Alabama.
By dialing 211, you can connect free, confidential, toll-free with trained specialists who help link callers to local resources, including mental health counseling, crisis support, grief services, substance use resources, housing assistance and more.
211 is available:
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Call 211 or visit 211connectsalabama.org
- Interpreters available for multiple languages
You don’t need to know which agency to call. 211 helps navigate the system and connects you to the right support, especially during high-stress times such as the holidays.
In 2024, more than 35,000 people received mental health services through United Way of Central Alabama’s network of partner agencies, including crisis intervention, counseling and screenings.
Below are just a few of the trusted United Way partner agencies across Central Alabama that provide free or low-cost mental health support for individuals and families.
Crisis Center
What began in 1970 as a small, volunteer-run phone line has grown into a vital hub for mental health crisis support across Central Alabama. Today, the Crisis Center:
- Operates 24/7 phone and text lines for people in crisis, including youth-focused support.
- Provides trauma-informed care for sexual assault survivors, including forensic exams, counseling and legal advocacy.
- Offers community education on substance use, overdose prevention and trauma response.
Oasis Counseling for Women and Children
Founded in 1995 to address the mental health needs of underserved women, Oasis has become one of the few women-centered counseling centers in the state. Oasis Counseling:
- Provides therapy for women, children and families, including play therapy and group sessions.
- Offers psychosocial assessments and trauma-informed support tailored to each individual.
Gateway
As Birmingham’s first social services agency, Gateway has supported children and families since 1891. Today, it remains a statewide leader in trauma-informed care where they continue to:
- Support children in foster care through therapy, education and life skills training.
- Help families stay safely together through in-home counseling and parent support.
- Train educators and foster parents on child trauma and behavior management.
The Amelia Center
The Amelia Center was founded in partnership with Children’s of Alabama after the sudden loss of four camp counselors, including Amelia Elliott. Since opening in 1997, the United Way partner agency has:
- Provided grief counseling for children, teens and parents.
- Offered individual and group support in a safe, understanding environment.