Emergency & Nonemergency Mental Health Care

Emergency Mental Health Care

What is a mental health emergency?

You have an emergency if the patient:

• Is at immediate risk of serious harm to self or others as a result of mental disorder
• Needs immediate continuous skilled observation at the acute level of care (based on a psychiatric evaluation)

When you have a mental health emergency:

• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency roomThe hospital department that provides emergency services to patients who need immediate medical attention..
• You don't need a referral or pre-authorization.
• If admitted, call your primary care manager, regional contractor, or TRICARE Overseas Program Regional Call Center within 24 hours or the next business day. Admissions must be reported within 72 hours.
• If an emergency care admission occurs while traveling overseas, you should contact your PCM or TOP Regional Call Center before leaving the facility, or within 24 hours or on the next business day. 

Military & Veterans Crisis Hotline

Veterans Crisis Line

CONUS50 United States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Dial 988 then press 1
Text to 838255
Chat online

OCONUSAreas outside of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Indo-Pacific Command: 844-702-5493 or DSN 988
European Command: 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
Central Command: 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
Africa Command: 888-482-6054 or DSN 988
Southern Command: 866-989-9599 or DSN 988

Nonemergency Mental Health Care

Based on your plan, you may need a referral or pre-authorization for any outpatient mental health and substance use disorder care. This includes services like therapy and counseling. If you choose a non-network provider, you may pay higher costs.

For psychoanalysis or care from an institutional provider outside of a military hospital or clinic, you must get pre-authorization for nonemergency mental health and substance use disorder care.

Are you an active duty service member? You must get a referral and pre-authorization to get care in the TRICARE network. You don’t need a referral or pre-authorization if you seek outpatient mental health services at a military hospital or clinic. We encourage you to seek help so your condition doesn’t negatively affect your health and ability to perform your duties.