Mental health social work services play a vital role in supporting individuals and families facing emotional, financial, and social challenges in Suffolk County. These services provide counseling, crisis intervention, resource navigation, and connections to appropriate care. This article explores the available mental health support resources, social work services, and community-based assistance throughout Suffolk County.
Social Work Services in Suffolk County
Social workers in Suffolk County provide essential support and life-changing services to community members facing various challenges. According to Suffolk Health, social workers assist with mental health counseling, crisis intervention, housing and financial resources, family support, and access to community services. These professionals help individuals struggling with emotional, financial, or social challenges by providing guidance and connecting them with appropriate support systems.
Social workers play a crucial role in healthcare settings, helping patients understand their healthcare options, access necessary treatments, and navigate insurance or financial assistance programs. They offer counseling services, crisis support, and referrals to mental health professionals to ensure individuals receive appropriate care.
Social work services are available through multiple channels in Suffolk County, including hospitals, community centers, schools, and private practices such as Suffolk Primary Health. Many of these services accept Medicaid, ensuring expert medical attention is accessible without significant financial stress.
Family & Children Services of Suffolk County, located at 3455 Veterans Memorial Highway in Ronkonkoma, provides support to families and children. The Family Connect program, accessible at 631-647-3100 ext. 6200, offers short-term crisis intervention, respite linkages, support, information, referral, and advocacy to children and youth with or at risk of developing serious emotional and behavioral challenges and their families.
Mental Health Helplines and Crisis Support
Mental Health America of Suffolk (MHAW) operates a Mental Health Helpline available to all Suffolk County residents who require help finding and accessing assistance for themselves, friends, or family members. The helpline provides information and referrals to community resources for persons living with mental health needs, their families, and service providers.
The Mental Health Helpline can be reached at: - Phone: 631-471-7242 ext. 2 (Open weekdays, 9:00am to 5:00pm) - Email: [email protected] (Monitored weekdays, 9:00am to 5:00pm)
When contacting the Mental Health Helpline, callers undergo a brief assessment to connect them with appropriate resources. When needed, advocates may make direct phone calls to other service providers to arrange appropriate services.
For individuals in immediate crisis, several 24/7 resources are available:
Response of Suffolk County Crisis Hotline
- Crisis intervention/referral hotline open 24/7/365
- Phone: 631-751-7500 or dial 988
Crisis Text Line
- Anonymous texting service available 24/7
- Text GOT5 to 741741
Veterans Crisis Line
- Crisis line open 24/7/365
- Phone: 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
- Text to 838255
Suicide Hotline (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)
- Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Cop Line
- Phone: 1-800-COPLINE (267-5463)
- Website: https://www.copline.org
Frontline Helpline
- Run by Frontline Responder Services
Community Resources and Support Groups
Suffolk County offers numerous community resources and support groups for individuals facing various mental health challenges:
Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Suffolk County Department of Social Services
- Phone: 631-854-9700
- Website: http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/psa/Default.asp
- Provides services for persons over 18 who are physically or mentally impaired and who are in a situation where they are harmed or threatened with harm by the actions of themselves or others.
Adult SPOA (North County Complex, Bldg. C-106)
- Hauppauge, New York, 11788
- Phone: 631-853-2995
- Provides case management services.
Aid to the Developmentally Disabled
- 901 E. Main Street, Suite 508, Riverhead, New York, 11901
- Phone: 631-727-6220
- Fax: 631-727-6553
- Website: http://www.addny.org
- Note: APPLICATION FOR ALL MENTAL HEALTH HOUSING IN SUFFOLK COUNTY MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS (SPA). THE SPA MAY BE REACHED AT 631-231-3562.
Al-anon/Al-ateen Suffolk Information Service
- Phone: 631-699-2827
- Website: http://www.al-anon-suffolk-ny.org
- Provides support groups. Call or visit website for meeting times and locations.
Alternative Counseling Services
- Location 1: 518 East Main Street, Riverhead, New York, 11901
- Phone: 631-369-1200
- Fax: 631-369-1200
- Services: Non-intensive outpatient substance abuse counseling for DUI/DWI offenders
- Population served: Ages 13+
- Evaluations performed: Drug and Alcohol
- Insurance: Self pay, Private Insurance, Medicaid
- Location 2: 291 Hampton Road, Southampton, New York, 11968
- Phone: 631-283-4440
- Fax: 631-283-4456
- Services: Non-intensive outpatient substance abuse counseling
- Location 1: 518 East Main Street, Riverhead, New York, 11901
Family Counseling Service
- Location 1: 464-10 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York, 11967
- Phone: 631-399-9217
- Fax: 631-399-9225
- Website: http://www.fsl-li.org
- Services: Drug and alcohol outpatient
- Location 2: Bienecke Building, Main Street, Westhampton Beach, New York, 11976
- Phone: 631-288-1954
- Fax: 631-288-1955
- Website: http://www.fsl-li.org
- Services: Drug and alcohol outpatient
- Location 3: 529 Main Street, Center Moriches, New York, 11934
- Phone: 631-288-1954
- Website: http://www.fsl-li.org
- Services: Drug treatment
- Location 1: 464-10 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, New York, 11967
Caregivers Support Groups
- Caregivers of Cancer Patient Support Group
- Location: Good Samaritan Hospital, West Islip, New York, 11795
- Phone: 631-376-4444
- Provides support for those caring for someone with cancer
- Caregivers Support Group
- Location: Suffolk YJCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack, New York, 11725
- Phone: 631-462-9800 Ext. 21
- Provides support for those caring for an elderly loved one
- Call for dates and times
- Caregivers of Cancer Patient Support Group
Catholic Charities
- Location 1: Sienna Residence, 12 Mechanicsville Road, Bayshore, New York, 11706
- Phone: 631-968-8007
- Fax: 631-968-8009
- Website: http://www.catholiccharities.cc/
- Note: APPLICATION FOR ALL MENTAL HEALTH HOUSING IN SUFFOLK COUNTY MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS (SPA). THE SPA MAY BE REACHED AT 631-231-3562.
- Location 2: 9 Fourth Avenue, Bayshore, New York, 11706
- Phone: 631-665-6707
- Fax: 631-665-3564
- Website: http://www.catholiccharities.cc/
- Services provided: Additional languages available
- Location 3: 1727 North Ocean Avenue, Medford, New York, 11763
- Phone: 631-654-1919
- Fax: 631-475-8407
- Website: http://www.catholiccharities.cc/
- Services provided: Mental health clinic specializing in services for children
- Location 1: Sienna Residence, 12 Mechanicsville Road, Bayshore, New York, 11706
Specialized Mental Health Services
Several specialized mental health services are available throughout Suffolk County:
Madonna Heights Family Service Clinic
- Location: 151 Burrs Lane, Huntington Station, NY - 11746
- Phone: (631) 253-3480
- Services: Outpatient mental health for children, adolescents, and adults
- Focus: Supporting families as they overcome obstacles and strengthen existing bonds
- Offerings: Individual, group, marital, family therapy
Serving Western Suffolk Community Services
- Location: 998 Crooked Hill Road, West Brentwood, NY - 11717
- Phone: (631) 761-3500
- Services: Recovery services, treatment services, evaluation, medication, counseling and therapy
- Operator: Pilgrim PC
Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services
- Location: 15 Horseblock Place, Farmingville, NY - 11738
- Phone: (631) 854-2552
- Role: Local governmental unit responsible for coordination and oversight of community services to persons with alcohol and substance abuse problems, mental illness, mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities
Housing and Financial Resources
Access to appropriate housing is a critical component of mental health support. Suffolk County has a centralized application process for all mental health housing:
Single Point of Access (SPA) - Phone: 631-231-3562 - All applications for mental health housing in Suffolk County must be submitted through the SPA
Several organizations that provide housing services require applications through the SPA: - Family Residences and Essential Enterprises - Location: 120 Plant Avenue, Hauppauge, New York, 11788 - Phone: 631-273-1300 - Website: http://www.familyres.org/
Catholic Charities (Sienna Residence)
- Location: 12 Mechanicsville Road, Bayshore, New York, 11706
- Phone: 631-968-8007
- Fax: 631-968-8009
- Website: http://www.catholiccharities.cc/
Aid to the Developmentally Disabled
- Location: 901 E. Main Street, Suite 508, Riverhead, New York, 11901
- Phone: 631-727-6220
- Fax: 631-727-6553
- Website: http://www.addny.org/
Conclusion
Suffolk County offers a comprehensive network of mental health social work services, crisis support, community resources, and specialized care to address the diverse needs of residents. Social workers play a vital role in connecting individuals with appropriate care, providing counseling, crisis intervention, and assistance with navigating healthcare systems and financial resources.
The availability of multiple helplines ensures that support is accessible during times of crisis, while the variety of support groups addresses specific needs such as addiction recovery, caregiving, and managing mental health conditions. The centralized application process for mental health housing through the SPA simplifies access to essential housing resources.
For those seeking mental health support in Suffolk County, the combination of professional social work services, community resources, and specialized care provides a robust support network designed to promote mental wellness and resilience.