Mental health and resources offering Turkish-language services

Moving to a new country can bring challenges such as loneliness, anxiety, insomnia, or depression. In the United States, there are free 24/7 hotlines you can reach in a crisis, mental health services that your insurance must cover, and centers that charge based on income. On this page, you will find information about the 988 crisis line, ways to find treatment, official ways to find Turkish-language services, your right to an interpreter, and what insurance covers.

• Call 911 if there is a life-threatening emergency or go to the nearest emergency room.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: for anyone experiencing a crisis related to suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or substance use.
  • Call or text: 988. Online chat: 988lifeline.org
  • Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; free and confidential.
  • People of all ages can call. You can also call if you are worried about someone close to you.
  • Service is available in English and Spanish. Interpreter service is available by phone in more than 240 languages. When you call for a Turkish interpreter, say "Turkish."
  • If you press 1 in the menu, you will be connected to the Veterans Crisis Line; if you press 2, you will be connected to the Spanish-language line.
• Difference between 988 and 911: 988 is intended to connect you with a trained counselor during mental health and substance use crises. 911 sends an ambulance, firefighters, and, when necessary, law enforcement.
• Other hotlines:
  • Emotional distress after a disaster — Disaster Distress Helpline: +1 800 985 5990 (call or text; 24/7; interpreters in more than 100 languages)
  • Domestic violence — National Domestic Violence Hotline: +1 800 799 7233 (see 7.7 Domestic violence)
  • Veterans: Call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

1. Talk to your primary care doctor. A primary care doctor can conduct an initial mental health screening and refer you to a specialist such as a social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
2. Call your insurance company. An insurance representative or provider directory can show you mental health specialists in your area who are covered by your plan.
3. Search FindTreatment.gov. With SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) confidential and anonymous tool, you can find state-licensed facilities providing mental health and addiction treatment based on your address.
4. Call the SAMHSA National Helpline: +1 800 662 4357 (1-800-662-HELP). You can text your ZIP code to 435748 (HELP4U). The service is free and confidential and refers you to treatment facilities near you.
5. If you do not have insurance: community health centers charge based on income and can refer you to mental health specialists. SAMHSA and your state's mental health agency also list free or low-cost options.
6. If you are a student: look into mental health services at your school's health center and support groups.
7. If you are employed: ask human resources whether your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP is a free and confidential service paid for by the company; it provides help with mental health, alcohol or substance use, grief, and trauma.

• FindTreatment.gov language filter: in the service options, select "Turkish" under "Other Languages" to list facilities that report offering Turkish-language services. Call before going to ask whether Turkish service is still available.
• Right to a free interpreter: health care organizations receiving federal financial assistance, such as hospitals, Medicaid and Medicare providers, community mental health centers, addiction treatment centers, and insurance companies, must provide you with a free and qualified interpreter. You cannot be required to bring your own interpreter; your child cannot be used as an interpreter.
• 988 and the disaster hotline: you can request an interpreter when calling (more than 240 languages at 988 and more than 100 languages at the Disaster Distress Helpline).
• Your insurance: ask customer service for a Turkish-speaking therapist or psychiatrist who is in your network.
• License verification: check with your state's professional licensing board whether the specialist you will work with is licensed in your state. For example, in New York, use the Office of the Professions license verification tool.

• Marketplace plans: mental health and substance use disorder services are one of the 10 essential health benefits. All plans must cover:
  • behavioral health treatment such as psychotherapy and counseling
  • inpatient mental health treatment
  • substance use disorder treatment
• A Marketplace plan cannot reject you or charge you a higher premium because of pre-existing mental health conditions; coverage for treatment begins on the first day.
• Marketplace plans cannot place annual or lifetime dollar limits on essential health benefits.
• Parity protection: limits on mental health and addiction services cannot be more restrictive than limits on medical or surgical treatments. This applies to deductibles and copayments, limits on visits or days, and prior authorization requirements.
• Medicare: Part A and Part B cover inpatient and outpatient mental health services. Part B covers one depression screening each year, individual and group psychotherapy, family counseling, and medication management. Generally, after the annual Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. See 17.6 Medicare.
• Medicaid and CHIP: CHIP coverage varies by state, but every state includes behavioral health (mental health) services. For eligibility requirements, see 16.3 Medicaid and CHIP.

• The HIPAA Privacy Rule gives you rights over your health information and limits who can see it. If you believe these rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
• Before choosing a specialist, ask:
  • Do you have experience treating people with my problem?
  • What type of treatment do you usually provide, and how long does it last?
  • Do you accept my insurance? How much will treatment cost?
• Treatment works better when you have a good relationship with your specialist. If treatment is not working, talk to your specialist; you can change to another specialist if necessary.
• Do not stop your medication or treatment without consulting your doctor.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 24/7, free, confidential
  • Call or text: 988
  • Chat: 988lifeline.org
  • The old number still works: +1 800 273 8255
• SAMHSA National Helpline — treatment referrals, free and confidential
  • Phone: +1 800 662 4357
  • Text: send your ZIP code to 435748
  • Web: FindTreatment.gov
• Disaster Distress Helpline — crisis counseling after a disaster
  • Call or text: +1 800 985 5990
• National Domestic Violence Hotline — domestic violence
  • Phone: +1 800 799 7233
• 1-800-MEDICARE — Medicare mental health coverage
  • Phone: +1 800 633 4227 (TTY: +1 877 486 2048)
• HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) — complaints about interpreter rights and health information privacy
  • Phone: +1 800 368 1019 (TDD: +1 800 537 7697)
• Find a community health center: HRSA Find a Health Center

• Not calling 988 during a crisis because you think, "I am overreacting."
• Calling only 988 instead of 911 when there is a life-threatening emergency.
• Not asking about coverage because you assume insurance does not cover mental health care.
• Being unaware of your employer's free EAP service.
• Having relatives, especially children, interpret instead of requesting an interpreter.
• Failing to check whether the specialist is licensed in the state.
• Stopping medication without consulting a doctor.

• Can I speak Turkish if I call 988? The line provides service in English and Spanish; interpreters are available by phone in more than 240 languages. When you call, say "Turkish" to request an interpreter.
• What is the difference between 988 and 911? 988 connects you with a trained counselor during mental health and substance use crises. 911 sends an ambulance, firefighters, and law enforcement. Call 911 if there is a life-threatening emergency.
• How can I find a Turkish-speaking therapist? Use the "Turkish" language filter on FindTreatment.gov, ask your insurance company for Turkish-speaking specialists in your network, and check the specialist's state license.
• I do not have insurance. Can I get free or low-cost support? The SAMHSA National Helpline (+1 800 662 4357) and FindTreatment.gov show free or low-cost options. Community health centers charge based on income.
• Can I call 988 for my child? Yes. 988 serves people of all ages, and people who are worried about someone close to them can also call.
• Does my Marketplace plan cover therapy? Yes. Mental health services, including psychotherapy and counseling, are essential services that all Marketplace plans must cover. Deductibles and copayments vary by plan.
• How much does therapy cost through Medicare? Generally, after the annual Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. An annual depression screening is covered by Part B.

• FindTreatment.gov – Treatment locator (SAMHSA)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – chat
• Medicare & Mental Health Benefits, September 2026 (PDF)
• NIMH – Tips for talking with your doctor about mental health (PDF)
• HealthCare.gov – Mental health coverage
• HRSA – Find a community health center
• New York Office of the Professions – License verification