Resources and services

Get help in a crisis

No matter what time of day, you’re not alone. We have resources in place to help you in a crisis.

If you have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, call 911 or one of these numbers right away:

• Our behavioral health hotline: Call 1-855-242-0802 (TTY: 711). Then, choose the crisis option. 
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. Trained counselors can help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also chat online with a counselor through their Lifeline Chat service.

Need a quick answer to a health question? The 24-Hour Nurse Line is here for you. If your concern can’t wait until you can see your doctor, call 1-855-242-0802 (TTY: 711) anytime. And we’ll connect you with a nurse.

If you don’t have a ride to your appointment, we’ll help you get one. These rides are for the medical services we cover, like doctor visits, dental care and behavioral health care. You can contact One Call at 1-877-917-4150 (TTY: 1-866-288-3133) Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Be sure to schedule rides at least two business days before you need them. 

More about rides

Louisiana can have flash floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe weather. Learn how to make an emergency plan for your family and loved ones.

If you speak a language other than English, we can help. Call us at 1-855-242-0802 (TTY: 711). Then, ask for an interpreter. You'll get this service at no cost.

If you’re deaf or blind, we can give you info in other formats. These include sign language, braille, large print and audio. 

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call, text or chat 988
• National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453  
• National Center on Elder Abuse 1-855-500-3537
• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)  
• National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673  

Mental health has to do with our emotions and social well-being. Do you or someone you love need help with mental health issues? Conditions like depression and anxiety are common. If you’re not feeling like yourself, see your doctor. With treatment, people can get better. In the meantime, here are a few resources that can help:

• Learn more about depression from the National Institute of Mental Health.
• Check the Facts for Families Guide for info on topics that affect kids, teens and their families.
• Find info about topics from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in college students to self-injury in adolescents. Just check the Moving Into Adulthood Resource Center.
• Call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine at 1-800-950-6264. You can call Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM ET. Or email NAMI. You can also visit the NAMI website for answers to common questions about mental health.
• Check the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services website to learn about local mental health services.

What to do if you’re having a crisis

If you’re thinking of hurting yourself or someone else, get help right away. You can call:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. Trained counselors can help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also chat online with a counselor through their Lifeline Chat service.
• Our crisis line: 1-855-242-0802 (TTY: 711); choose the crisis option

Behavioral health has to do with your mood, thoughts and actions. You may be too sad or nervous to do your normal daily activities. Or you may have issues with substance use, such as drinking or using drugs. 

The good news? We can help. You’ll likely need to see a counselor to help you make changes. You may also need medication to help improve behavioral health.

Check these resources to learn more:

• Alcoholics Anonymous® website
• Boys Town National Hotline® (for teens, parents and families) 1-800-448-3000
• LA Alcohol/Drug Helpline 1-877-664-2248
• LA Child Abuse Hotline 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437)
• Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling helpline 1-877-770-7867 or text “nobet” to 66746
• National Center on Elder Abuse 1-855-500-3537
• National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453
• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline (for drug and alcohol treatment referral and service info) 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) (TTY: 1-800-487-4889)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website

You can also call our behavioral health crisis line: 1-833-491-1094 (TTY: 711) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — pick the option for behavioral health crisis

If you’re afraid for your safety, you can take action. People who experience domestic violence and sexual assault can get legal protection. This also includes help with stalking and restraining orders.

If someone is hurting you, reach out for help by calling: 

• Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-888-411-1333
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)

For your safety: Many of these sites have a “quick exit” option so you can quickly hide that browser window for safety reasons. AIso, be sure to erase your browser history after visiting these sites.  

Whether you’re a cigarette or e-cigarette smoker (or you use a vaping device), we can help you quit. We know it’s not easy, but with the right plan and support, you can reach your goal. 

Just check out these resources to help you get started: 

• 1-800-QUIT-NOW: Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you’re a Louisiana resident age 13 and over
• Smokefree.gov
• Smoking Cessation Trust
• Start to Stop program

Members ages 18 and older can take part in the Smoking Cessation Trust or the Start to Stop program. If you’re under age 18, you can get started with written consent from your parent or guardian.  

Questions on how to get started? Call us at 1-855-242-0802 (TTY: 711).

Looking for senior care can be challenging, and you may not know where to start. Learn about your options, info on costs and how the process works.

• Healthy Louisiana 1-855-229-6848 (TTY: 1-855-526-3346) Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
• LA Department of Health Medicaid 1-888-342-6207
• Louisiana Department of Children and Family services
• Louisiana Department of Health
• Louisiana Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Hotline 1-800-488-2917

We work with our local partners to ensure you get the support you need.

Here’s a list of Louisiana resources you might find useful: 

• Community preparedness and health protection
• Disaster help
• Emergency preparedness

• The American Diabetes Association works to prevent and cure diabetes. See how they help improve the lives of people affected by diabetes.
• The American Heart Association offers info about heart disease prevention, including ways to be heart healthy.
• The Arthritis Foundation offers info and tools to help people live a better life with arthritis.

Members with special health care needs have medical conditions that will last at least one year. If you or your child has special health care needs, you can get help.

Just check out these resources to learn more: 

• Autism Society 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• National Association for Down Syndrome 
• The Arc 

Learn more about early childhood education. You can also find a Head Start near you.

WIC is a national nutrition program for pregnant or breastfeeding women and families with children younger than 5. The Louisiana WIC program provides these services at no cost:

• Help with breastfeeding questions  
• Referrals to agencies  
• Healthy food, like fruits and vegetables   
• Healthy eating tips  

You can call WIC to see if you and your child can use the service: 800-251-BABY (251-2229). Or visit the WIC website for more info. 

United Way focuses on creating community-based and community-led solutions for a good quality of life. Find a United Way near you. Or call 211 for help with food, housing, jobs, health care, counseling and more.