Kaiser Permanente offers urgent behavioral health support for members ages 13 and older, 365 days a year.
When emotional distress, anxiety, substance-related concerns, or thoughts of self-harm become urgent, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Urgent Behavioral Health Care is designed to help members get timely support, assessment, and connection to the right level of care.
What is Urgent Behavioral Health Care?
Urgent Behavioral Health Care provides behavioral health consultation and evaluation within Kaiser Permanente Urgent Care Centers. Licensed behavioral health clinicians complete comprehensive assessments, help determine the severity of risk, recommend the appropriate level of care, and coordinate next steps with the on-call psychiatrist, urgent care physicians, and lead nurses.
When is care available?
Urgent Behavioral Health Care is available daily from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., including weekends and holidays.
Who may benefit from urgent behavioral health support?
This service may be appropriate for members who are experiencing urgent emotional or behavioral health concerns but are not in immediate physical danger. Examples may include:
- Thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming others without an immediate plan to act
- Severe anxiety or panic
- Emotional distress that feels difficult to manage
- Substance use concerns, including a recent overdose or substance use in a suicide attempt
- Mild withdrawal symptoms, such as hallucinations, confusion, nausea, vomiting, or sweating
- Prolonged sleep deprivation
- Postpartum emotional or behavioral health concerns
How can members connect to care?
Members can access urgent behavioral health support in several ways:
- Visit in person at Largo Medical Center, Woodlawn, or Caton Hill.
- Use virtual urgent behavioral health services available in the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Contact the Behavioral Health Clinical Contact Center.
- Complete an E-visit through kp.org.
- Transfer from Advanced Urgent Care, when appropriate.
- Maryland Medicaid members should contact Carelon at (800) 888-1965.
Important safety reminder
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
